Minister Promises Review Of Yacht Tax

It is not rational for marine tourism to be taxed differently than other tourism sectors especially in the time of crisis, Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping Minister Louka Katseli recently said.

Ms. Katseli assured professional yacht owners that the financial staff of the government would conduct a review of the taxation of professional yachts that was inflicted by the previous government.

“As we said prior to the elections, the taxation of professional yachts causes an affect on marine tourism without it actually contributing to the country’s revenue,” she said.

When asked to comment on the subject, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels Gerassimos Fokas said that the chamber agrees with the announcement of Minister Katseli.

The chamber’s president said that the Law 3790/09 burdens professionals amid the crisis with an extraordinary tax and an annual special tax.

President of the Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies Argyro Fili also praised Ms. Katseli’s announcement in regards to the review of the taxation of professional yachts.

“The request of the professional yacht owners is reasonable and the eradication of taxes introduced by Law 3790/09 is vital for the development of marine tourism and to rescue the industry from extinction,” HATTA’s president said.

However, the Greek Professional Yacht Owners Bareboat Association expressed concern since the tax abolition would apply after each case is reviewed separately and called for the exclusion of all yachts from the extraordinary and annual special taxes.