Krakow mayoral candidate pushes for unified appeal on tourist tax

A candidate for Krakow's mayoral election is calling for a united front among all candidates to appeal to Prime Minister Donald Tusk for the implementation of a tourist tax. Aleksandra Owca stated that regardless of political affiliations, all candidates seem to agree that Krakow requires such a tax.

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Regardless of party colors, views on other matters, affiliation or lack thereof with specific organizations, it seems that almost all campaigning candidates agree on one issue: Krakow needs a tourist tax.

Owca argues that Krakow incurs significant expenses due to tourism, including impacts on public transport, waste management, and city services. She believes a tourist tax would help alleviate the burden on the city's budget by partially covering these costs, with the profits currently going to private businesses.

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Let's meet together with the Prime Minister Donald Tusk and tell him what Krakow is losing due to the lack of a tourist tax. Let's tell him that in this matter, a city of almost a million stands together, regardless of political divisions, party colors, our other program points.

Krakow has long sought the ability to levy a tourist tax, but Polish law does not currently allow for a specific tourist fee. A local fee existed from 2004 to 2015 but was abolished due to environmental regulations. The city, along with other major Polish metropolises, has been advocating for legislative changes to enable the collection of a tourist tax independent of climate conditions.

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I appeal that we try together to do something good for the city.