We should impose tax on arriving guests to reconcile the disproportion between the services offered and the growing number of people who use them – noted the mayor of Tamer Mandalinci. – This is a practice adopted all over the world, so why should we be an exception? He said.
He drew attention to the financial burdens that the municipality was struggling at the peak of the season, when the city's infrastructure is forced to maintain a population several times greater than the official population.
Although Bodrum's official population is about 203 thousand, this number rarely drops below 450,000, even out of season – emphasized the Turkish media. In the peak summer months and holidays, the city's population can increase to over a million, which exerts extraordinary pressure on local services – added.
The reason for introducing fees for tourists. “Investment support”
This mismatch seriously hinders the municipality of scaling of services in accordance with the seasonal demand – said Mandalinci. He suggested that even a small fee, such as in the amount of 3 euros for a visitor, divided equally between the municipality of Bodrum, Mugla Province and Governor's office, could generate significant income for the support of local investments.
A similar proposal was presented last month by the authorities of the Mugla province. – Provinces such as Antalya, Mugla and Aydin are forced to provide services to people whose number in the summer months exceeds the number of inhabitants many times – said.
