LISBON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Lisbon's tourist tax raised 18.5 million euros (22.9 million U.S. dollars) in 2017, up nearly 50 percent year on year from 2016, the town hall revealed on Monday.
The news was announced at a press conference called to present municipal accounts for 2017. The 18.5 million euros raised was considerably more than the 15.7 million anticipated in the 2017 municipal budget. It is also 6.1 million euros more than the tax raised in 2016.
Lisbon's tourist tax was introduced in January 2016. Anyone staying in a Lisbon hotel or guest house since then has been obliged to pay an extra 1 euro per night, to a maximum of 7 nights.
The tax was brought in to address complaints by locals that tourists are treated more favorably than residents.
Lisbon has experienced a major tourism boom in recent years, boosting the economy, but forcing up rents and putting added pressure on municipal services. The tourist tax aimed to redress the balance.
Porto and Sintra, Portuguese cities facing similar pressures, recently voted to follow Lisbon's example.
Porto brought in a 2 euros overnight charge in March, and Sintra will levy 2 euros per night from 2019. The Lisbon town hall said it had no immediate plans to raise Lisbon's tariff.
