A tourist tax, also known as a city tax, visitor tax, or occupancy tax, is a levy imposed by a local or municipal government on guests staying in paid accommodation such as hotels, campsites, and short-term rentals. It is usually calculated per guest per night, though some jurisdictions charge a percentage of the accommodation price, and rates often vary by property category, season, or location. Hosts are generally responsible for collecting the tax from guests at booking or check-in and remitting it to the relevant authority on a periodic basis. In many countries the tax revenue funds local tourism infrastructure, cultural sites, and public services. Rules, rates, and exemptions differ widely by jurisdiction and change over time, so hosts should verify current requirements with their local authority.
Why this matters for property managers
This charge sits outside the operator's revenue, but collecting and remitting it correctly is still their legal responsibility, and errors surface as audits, penalties, and back payments rather than lost margin. Because the amount is often per guest per night, it interacts with occupancy and length of stay in ways that can quietly complicate pricing displays and payout reconciliation. Operators who automate its collection and keep clean records treat it as a routine pass-through, while those who overlook it can accumulate a liability that compounds silently across every booking.
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