From July 1st, those who rent their apartment for short periods for tourism purposes will have to apply the new tourist tax rates, i.e. 3.5 euros per person for a maximum of 72 days. The tax will increase by 3.5 times and this increase is not going down well with several homeowners, who have organized themselves in a Facebook group (host short term rentals Brescia) and they also started a petition on Change.org which by midday on June 29th had reached 174 signatures. “We, the undersigned, citizens and operators in the tourist rental sector, we firmly oppose the unjustified increase in the tourist tax for tourist rentals, recently implemented without adequate discussion with all interested parties” we read in the incipit of the petition which complains about the decision taken by the Lodge without any consultation, which was held only with the hoteliers’ association (which commented positively the increases decided by the municipality).
«Tourist rentals have been unfairly classified in the same category as 5-star hotel facilities. This comparison is unreasonable and does not reflect the reality of tourist rentals, which operate with different methods and services” continues the petition, which ends with the request for “Immediate suspension of the increase in the tourist tax until a discussion is conducted fair and inclusive with all interested categories, including tourist rentals”. It is also requested that “tourist locations are classified in an appropriate category that correctly reflects the nature and services offered, clearly differentiating them from luxury hotel facilities”.
A representation of the group of tenants, also concerned about a possible decline in tourist presences, met with Budget Councilor Marco Garza on 26 June who was very clear: the tax will not be lowered. The Lodge evaluates the possibility of lowering the maximum number of days for which the tourist tax is applied which is currently 72 days. BErgamo for example, has a higher tourist tax for Airbnbs, 5 euros per day, but it is applied only for the first 5 days. Even in Mantua the tourist tax for B&Bs (3 euros per day for those within the UNESCO circle, 2.5 for others) has a much shorter time limit of 7 days.
