Dialogue to Begin For Sojourn Tax Cut
Finance Minister Yiannis Papathanasiou recently assured the president of the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE), Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis, that a dialogue will proceed in order to find a replacement income for the local government’s lost revenue from the reduction of the sojourn tax.
According to Mayor Kaklamanis, the dialogue that is to start on 4 April and completed by the end of the month is a very positive development. Tourism Minister Kostas Markopoulos’ recent announcement that the government will proceed with legislation in regards to the reduction of the sojourn tax (imposed on tourism businesses) from two percent to 0.5 percent had caused the strong reaction of KEDKE.
As a result, Mayor Kaklamanis had threatened to resign from his post as KEDKE’s president if the sojourn tax was reduced.