Grand Council AG Aargau parliament does not want a guest tax to promote tourism
There will be no guest tax to promote tourism in the canton of Aargau. On Tuesday, the Grand Council rejected a proposal for this tax by 67 votes to 64. The SP and the Center Party wanted a tax. The SVP and FDP were against it. The cantonal government wanted to examine the guest tax
Aargau is not a tourist canton, said an FDP spokesperson. The municipalities are free to introduce such a tax. However, this would contradict liberal ideas. The SVP spoke out against new taxes and fees. It was unnecessary to take francs out of visitors' pockets.
The SP, Green Party and GLP were in favor of the guest tax. The revenue could strengthen regional offers. Switzerland Tourism recognizes the tourism potential of the Aargau, said the SP. The canton still suffers from labels such as "highway canton" and "transit canton". Yet Aargau is a canton of spas and castles.
Everyone praises the beautiful Aargau
With a cantonal solution, the guest card could be valid for the whole of Aargau, a Mitte spokesperson stated. Guests should be able to benefit directly from the tax.
The Greens also praised the "beautiful canton of Aargau" and called for more self-confidence. Regional solutions are also needed. It should therefore be examined whether a legal basis for a canton-wide guest tax should be created.
Cantonal Councillor Dieter Egli (SP) said that Aargau had an incredible number of treasures, but that these were not well enough known. The offers would have to be coordinated in order to be able to offer more. Open questions should still be clarified.
Thermal resorts know tax
According to the cantonal government, the canton of Aargau counts around 800,000 overnight hotel stays per year - mainly business travelers. There are also many day visitors. The thermal spa towns of Rheinfelden, Bad Zurzach and Baden have introduced municipal taxes for tourists.
Various cantons have introduced a guest tax in recent years. These include the cantons of Thurgau, Nidwalden and, a few years ago, the canton of Basel-Landschaft.
SDA
