“The idea, in practical terms, is to resume a proposal that was interrupted and that had already been discussed before the pandemic”, said the president of the municipality, Carlos Pinto de Sá (CDU), in statements to Lusa agency.

According to the mayor, the CDU management intends to resume the process with the presentation of the proposal at the Municipal Economy and Tourism Commission, during the month of June, before taking the topic to the council meeting.

“We want to start the process, as I say, in June, so that we can listen to those involved and prepare a proposal, probably in September, to take to the council and municipal assembly”, he highlighted.

Recalling that, before the discussion on the fee was suspended, hearings were held with the sectors involved on the topic, Pinto de Sá stressed that resuming the process implies “listening again to a group of stakeholders in this area”.

Asked by Lusa about whether the tourist tax, to be created, could come into force later this year, the president of the municipality replied that it seems “tight, especially because there will be negotiations”.

“But, I would like the decision to be made this year”, he said, declining, however, to point out values as he considers it “to be premature” and to avoid speculation.

For the mayor, the application of the tourist tax in this Alentejo municipality “is not only fair but is absolutely indispensable and necessary”, in order to “strengthen the municipal capacity to respond” to the increase in tourism in Évora and its impact.