Entrepreneurs in Almere’s hotel, campsite, holiday-rental and water-sports sectors opposed the municipality’s plan to raise tourist tax from 7% to 10% in 2027. They said the increase could deter visitors and place additional pressure on businesses already facing higher costs and weaker demand. The municipality expects the measure to generate an additional €800,000 a year from 2027, while the city council was due to vote on the 2027 budget, including the tax increase, on Thursday evening.

HISWA-RECRON said an earlier coalition agreement had promised to exclude campsites and boats from the increase and was considering ways to enforce that commitment. Other entrepreneurs, including a holiday-home operator who reported a decline in occupancy, called for an assessment of the measure’s effects and suggested replacing the percentage-based charge with a fixed amount per night. The municipality maintained the proposed increase; no decision on it was reported.