Tax Increase Approved
Porto Santo municipal council has approved doubling the tourist tax from two to four euros per overnight stay. The measure aims to strengthen the municipality's financial capacity to respond to growing demands from tourism activity.
Our priority is the Puerto Santenses. We want continue to receive well who visits us, but for this, we have first of ensure that we have the conditions to take care of our island and those who live here. The tourism should contribute to the sustainability of Porto Santo and to the improving the quality of life of our population
Nuno Batista, Presidente of Câmara Municipal do Porto Santo
Funding Sustainability and Development
The increased revenue will support necessary investments for sustainability and development of the island. Funds will be directed toward urban cleaning, maintenance of public spaces, environmental protection, infrastructure improvement, and destination qualification.
Balancing Growth with Local Needs
Mayor Nuno Batista states the tax increase is essential to accompany tourism growth without compromising residents' quality of life or preservation of natural resources. Porto Santo faces structural challenges despite tourism's importance to the local economy.
The municipality continues to receive minimal State transfers compared to other regions, limiting investment capacity. Officials emphasize that tourism must contribute to Porto Santo's sustainability and improve quality of life for permanent residents. With the duplicated tax, executives aim to reconcile tourism growth with territory preservation and public service quality.
Porto Santo has grown as a tourist destination and that is positive for our economy, but this growth also brings increased responsibilities and costs. There is more pressure on the spaces public, infrastructure, municipal services and natural resources. We have to be able to keep up with this reality with investment.
Nuno Batista, Presidente of Câmara Municipal do Porto Santo
Source: dnoticias.pt
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