Continued from page 112
still contains many times more pollutants than vehicle diesel. Ships must also beware of mixing fuels which can be unsafe. Using LNG cuts sulphur
emissions almost entirely and nitrogen oxide by 85%. Clia suggests 25 ships, or about 12% of the global total, could be using LNG by 2025. But the primary component of LNG is methane, an accelerant of global warming. There are also limits to LNG infrastructure, with fuelling stations only slowly being established in Europe. Exhaust cleaning systems,
or scrubbers, enable ships to continue using heavy fuel oil by removing the sulphur – dissolving it in seawater which is returned to the ocean as sulphuric acid or held on ship to be disposed of on land. Royal Caribbean Cruises
vice-chairman Adam Goldstein has said: “You inject tremendous amounts of water into the exhaust and it takes the sulphur away. That is our principal strategy.” Clia reported in September
that more than 68% of global capacity would utilise scrubbers. But China, Hong Kong, Singapore and some Caribbean islands have banned the release of water from scrubbers and there is a call for a worldwide ban. Cruise lines also try to cut
emissions in port by using shore- side power. But only 16 ports offer this – and only three outside North America. Shipping sector leaders agreed
in December to set up a $5 billion fund for research and development into cutting emissions, with the aim of developing zero-carbon emission ships by the 2030s. Companies would make a $2 contribution for every tonne of marine fuel they purchase if governments back the proposal.
Amsterdam starts levying €3 nightly fee on top of tax
Amsterdam imposed a tax on tourist accommodation including holiday rentals on January 1 on top of the city’s existing tourist tax. The city now charges €3 per
person per night on hotel rooms and €1 a night on campsites, in addition to a 7% tourist tax, Children under 16 are exempt.
Visitors staying in short-let or
B&B accommodation have 10% added to accommodation bills in place of the 7% tax, as landlords must pay 10% on their turnover from tourism. Airbnb has agreed to collect the tax for the authorities. Sea and river cruise companies
charge €8 per passenger for a ‘day- tripper tax’, although passengers beginning and ending a cruise in the city pay no additional charge. Amsterdam drew more than 17
million tourists last year and a city document noted: “We must take action to control visitor flows. It’s
Amsterdam
time for destination management.” A spokesperson for Amsterdam’s
deputy mayor said: “It costs a lot to keep our city clean and safe and our infrastructure in a good state.”
Scotland plans licensing scheme for holiday lets
Ian Taylor
Te Scotish government plans to regulate short-term lets through a compulsory licensing scheme and give local authorities new powers to control holiday rentals including Airbnb. The licensing scheme will include
safety requirements covering “every type of short-term let” and councils will be given “discretion to apply further conditions to address the concerns of local residents”. Local authorities will be able to
“designate control areas to ensure planning permission will always be required for the change of use of whole properties for short-term lets”. In addition, the Scottish
government said last week it would “urgently consider how short-term lets will be taxed to ensure an appropriate contribution”. The government said the tax would “complement” its plans to introduce a Transient Visitor Levy “later in this Parliament”. Edinburgh city council has
110 16 JANUARY 2020
campaigned to introduce a visitor levy or tourism tax for some time. Housing minister Kevin Stewart
introduced the measures in the Scottish Parliament, saying: “In certain areas, particularly tourist hot spots, high numbers of short-term lets are causing problems and often make it harder for people to find homes.” Home sharing – defined as
“renting a room in your own home or allowing others to stay in your own home while on holiday” – will not be subject to control areas.
In certain areas,
particularly tourist hot spots, high numbers of short-term lets are causing problems
The Scottish government noted a
consultation on its short-let proposals drew more than 1,000 responses, most supporting regulation. Willie Macleod, executive director
for Scotland at the UKHospitality association, described the measures as “long overdue”. He said: “The recent boom in short-term lets has brought a plethora of problems for residents and a raft of debatable business practices. “Too many businesses have an
Kevin
Stewart, MSP
unfair advantage compared to other accommodation businesses, escaping business taxes and sometimes operating without important safeguards. This potentially puts customers at risk.”
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: Shutterstock
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