DW: it’s tax evasion for the fall of tourism revenue?

New record year for Greek tourism. Tax revenues, however, decreased. Maybe the reduction is due to the increase of taxation?
Or does it have to do with generalized …
tax evasion? It is no doubt a paradox that while the tourists over the summer, the 17 ec. recording record year for Greek tourism, the revenue of the state decreased in comparison with the 2016 by 8.8%. Some experts estimate that many tourists closed a flight and hotel at the last minute and so they got very low prices. Still others believe that the reason for the reduction of tourism revenue due to tax evasion.
A hotel manager in Rhodes, who wished to remain anonymous, makes a speech at the German news agency (dpa) for a generalized tax evasion. The data of the Bank of Greece for the tourist traffic from January to August 2016 is clear. The arrivals exceeded 17.2 m, have increased accordingly in comparison with last year by 1.8%. At the same time, however, the revenue from tourism decreased from 9,25 million. 2015 8,43 ec. the current year.
The president of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) Andreas Andreadis considers talking to the EPA that the reduction is due to the increase of taxes, which has benefited ultimately tourist destinations such as Cyprus and Spain. The increase of taxes including the rise of VAT from 17% to 24%. on islands such as Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Naxos, Paros and Skiathos, and the additional duties on hotel rooms, alcoholic drinks and lots of food.
Machinery payment card connected to the external
But according to connoisseurs of Greek tourist market, the reduction of tourism revenue due to the fact that numerous tourist offices, restaurants and bars “adjusted” to the new data. More and more often try to avoid issuing receipts. But at the same time they invented something else. On card payments, many shop owners feeding and focus occur with machines that are directly connected to accounts in foreign banks. “Take a walk in Rhodes, observing with attention what’s going on, says the roditis businessman, and adds: “As officials of the IRS doing audits, all done as it should be. But when the night stop the checks then appear on the stalls of different credit card machines.
The tourist season in Greece has not yet finished. In the islands, but Athens hotels still have many tourists. Consequently, the issue of the reduction of tourism revenue will continue to employ the experts of tourism. However, the Greek government will have to consider this and see what you need to do. Because tourism is one of the most important sources of revenue of the country.
Source