January 30, 2020 - Split City councilors have decided to charge the maximum tourist tax for cruisers moored at the port or anchored in the Split area from May 1st to October 31st. In the offseason, cruises will be charged half that amount.

Thus, Splitski Dnevnik reports that in the heart of the season, Split will charge a maximum of 2000 kuna for ships with a capacity of 50 to 200 passengers, and in the rest of the year, 1000 kuna, while cruisers with a capacity of 1001 to 2000 people will be charged 20,000 kuna during the season, and only 10,000 during the offseason. 

As for the highest categories, from 3001 passengers and more, the maximum 40,000 kuna will be charged from May to October, and in the offseason, 20,000 kuna will be charged.

“The position of the Split City Port in cruise tourism is ideal, as the guest is five to six minutes away from the city center, and that is exactly what they are charged for, for the opportunity we offer them,” said Tonči Blažević of HSLS.

"In addition to the source of funds, utilities are also a management tool, and every entrepreneur working in the season knows that. That is why there should be a difference in tax concerning periods. We keep saying that there is only tourism in the summer, but it has extended for most of the year and by dividing the tax, we can direct this type of tourism towards those months where we have lower attendance and reduce the burden on infrastructure in the peak months. A small step is also a step,” Blažević said, proposing an amendment that charges the maximum price from May to October and the suggested amount in the other months.

A similar amendment was submitted by the councilors of the Pametno party, who suggested that the highest price should be from June to September,  and 50% of the amount for the rest of the year. According to the law, the city or municipality receives 85 percent of this money, and County 15, and by law, the funds raised are earmarked for improving public and tourism infrastructure and for projects and programs for sustainable development. The public consultation was held from December 10 to December 31, to which no objections were received, said Pavo Zaninovic, head of the tourism department of the Department for Economy, Crafts and Tourism of the City of Split.

"This decision takes effect from January 1, 2021, and the city council must adopt the decision by January 31 of the current year for the next one," Zaninovic said.

However, the debate on this topic was very heated.

Recall, Dubrovnik has decided to charge the maximum amount for cruisers from 2021. They expect revenues of HRK 10-14 million per year.

Zadar, for example, decided that for the Gaženica port, which is a large infrastructure project made with state money, they would continue to charge nothing for cruisers in order to increase their competitiveness, but also divert cruisers to a location outside the crowded city center. For this reason, cruisers who want to anchor in the city center, next to the ‘Monument to the Sun’ and the ‘Sea Organ’, will be charged the maximum because it is an attractive location.

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