Kaag en Braassem imposes tourism tax on insect hotels to boost biodiversity funds
Residents and visitors of Kaag en Braassem will now pay an accommodation tax for staying in insect hotels, a move aimed at easing municipal budget pressures while funding biodiversity projects. Operators and locals express surprise, but the municipality calls it a practical solution.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Kaag en Braassem |
| New Tax | Accommodation tax on insect hotels |
| Tax Rate | Equal to regular hotels (per night) |
| Implementation Date | March 2026 |
| Revenue Allocation | 50% to biodiversity, 50% to general reserve |
| Objection Deadline | Wednesday, 6:00 PM (same week as announcement) |
| Notable Visitors | Asian hornet, pharaoh ant, American painted lady butterfly |
The municipality of Kaag en Braassem is responsible for local governance, including taxation policies and environmental initiatives. This decision reflects its role in balancing budgetary needs with sustainability efforts, particularly in managing public spaces and biodiversity projects.
Read the full translated article below
Kaag en Braassem introduces tax on insect hotels
There had been rumblings for some time, but the municipality of Kaag en Braassem decided on Tuesday to expand the scope of its accommodation tax. In recent years, significant investments have been made in biodiversity. The number of insect hotels has mushroomed, now having a substantial impact on public spaces. The municipal executive now wants these insect hotels to contribute to the budget as well.
Starting this month, visitors to insect hotels will have to pay accommodation tax upon check-in, in addition to the overnight fee. The tax rate for insect hotels will be set per night, equal to that of regular hotels, allowing for swift implementation.
Two birds with one stone
The municipality notes that insect hotels are growing in popularity. Increasing numbers of visitors from abroad are finding their way to Kaag en Braassem. This includes tourists such as the Asian hornet, the pharaoh ant, and the American painted lady butterfly.
With municipal finances under pressure, the executive hopes this measure will ease the strain slightly. Half of the revenue will be invested in biodiversity, while the other half will go into the general reserve. “This way, we kill two birds with one stone,” a spokesperson said.
The operators of insect hotels reacted as if stung by a wasp to the executive’s decision. However, the alderman remained calm: “Let’s not make a mountain out of a molehill.”
Residents, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders can file objections with the Special Affairs department until Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM.