Olbia The Gallura city is the one that collected the most from the tourist tax in 2023. A result, according to the data from the Observatory created by Jfc tourism & management, which confirms it as an organization with a strong tourist vocation, but also a leader in that market of first and second homes intended for so-called short-term rentals, which have become the driving force of a non-hotel tourism in very strong growth in the area. Olbia, the leading municipality, collected 2 million 699 thousand euros in 2023, with constant growth compared to just over 2 million in 2022 and the million 457 thousand euros in 2021. «We are happy with a result that demonstrates how happy the choice, shared with the mayor, Settimo Nizzi, to adjust the tax upwards last year, between 50 cents and one euro – explains Alessandro Fiorentino, municipal budget councilor -. The numbers speak clearly and demonstrate that the increase has not affected attendance, bringing an excellent result at an accounting level, without touching the pockets of our fellow citizens. We remind you that the money will be invested either directly on tourism, or for the arrangement of urban areas and public green areas, interventions which in any case affect the tourist attractiveness of our city”.
For Olbia, the proceeds mainly go to fuel the tourism drive, also financing major events, which in turn bring many tourists, which fuel the Municipality’s coffers. A virtuous cycle that is bringing results. «The event for tourism purposes brings a clear return in terms of image, but the revenues deriving from the tourist tax demonstrate how it also has an impact from an economic point of view – explains Fiorentino – without taking into account the large related activities it brings for all economic activities of our city.” The Gallura city is also among those Sardinian municipalities that have entered into an agreement with Airbnb for the direct payment of the tourist tax, together with Arzachena, Golfo Aranci, Posada, Santa Teresa Gallura and Stintino. A mechanism that allows you to collect certain amounts in relation to the volume of regular rentals on the Airbnb platform and bring out some of the underground economy, which however remains very high.
