[(Title)] Queenstown hospitality businesses fear a bed tax could ruin their livelihoods.

Some Queenstown businesses fear a new bed tax could ruin their livelihoods.

一些昆斯敦的企业担心新的床税会毁了他们的生计。

The waterfront, Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, Otago, South Island, New Zealand, Pacific  Photo: Robert Francis

The bed tax is a proposal Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult has been campaigning for to help pay infrastructure costs for the burgeoning tourist destination.

床位税是昆斯敦湖区区市长吉姆·布尔特提出的一项建议，他一直在鼓动帮助支付迅速增长的旅游目的地的基础设施费用。

However, opponents of the tax say the cost could drive people away from staying in the town.

然而，反对该税的人士表示，这笔费用可能会驱使人们远离留在城里。

Villa del Lago owner Nik Kiddle is taking a stand against the bed tax.

比利亚德尔拉各的老板尼克·基德尔（NikKiddle）正在坚定反对床税。

"The bed tax, as it's currently proposed by the mayor, would in fact increase costs for particularly small and medium sized accommodation service providers to an extent that would probably bankrupt us," Mr Kiddle said.

基德尔说：“床税是市长目前提出的，事实上将会增加特别是中小客房服务供应商的成本，从而可能使我们破产。

"People are genuinely concerned for their businesses and their livelihoods."

"人们真正关心他们的商业和生计"。

The tourism industry strongly opposed the new tax, as it would raise prices and discourage tourists from staying in commercial accommodation, Mr Kiddle said.

基德尔说，旅游业强烈反对新税，因为这将提高价格并阻止游客留在商业住宅。

Mr Boult previously suggested a $10 per bed per night additional cost for visitors as an option.

Boult先生以前建议每晚每张床10美元，作为选择，增加来访者费用。

That could translate to hundreds of dollars extra for family groups planning to stay more than a couple of nights, Mr Kiddle said.

克里德先生表示，对于计划逗留超过两晚的家庭团体来说，这可能会增加数百美元。

In response, he sent an open letter to the mayor earlier this month, calling for Mr Boult to ditch the tax and instead put his hand up for 15 percent of the GST generated by international visitors to Queenstown each year.

作为回应，他本月早些时候向市长发出了一封公开信，呼吁布尔特先生放弃税收，转而求助于国际访问者每年前往昆斯敦(Queenssown)产生的GST百分之十五。

The proposal needs to be in writing and have a formal consultation process, Mr Kiddle said.

Kiddle先生说，提案需要以书面形式提出，并需进行正式磋商。

He has been invited to meet with Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive officer Mike Theelen on Friday.

他受邀于周五与昆斯敦湖区理事会首席执行官麦克·特伦会面。

However, Mr Theelen was quick to point out no details have been ironed out.

然而，泰琳先生很快就指出，没有详细情况得到纠正。

Queenstown was a "canary in the cage" when it came to tourism, he said.

奎恩斯敦是旅游时的“笼子里的金丝雀”，他说。

"We certainly don't want to keep adding more burden onto ratepayers to support that industry," Mr Theelen said.

“我们当然不想为支持该行业增加额外的负担。

"We need to look for fresh ways of doing that. A bed tax is a well known, internationally recognised tool for that."

我们 必须 寻找 新 的 方法 来 完成 这项 工作 , 床位 税 是 众所周知 的 国际 公认 的 工具 。 ”

A tax would be spread across all accommodation providers, he said.

他说，所有住宿提供者都会征收所得税。

The proposal would likely not be discussed properly until after the government finished consulting on its tourist tax.

在政府完成旅游税收征询后，这项建议很可能得不到适当的讨论。

The idea of a bed tax came up seven years ago - and the response back from hoteliers back then was lukewarm.

七年前，关于卧床税的想法出现——当时，旅馆经营者的回复并不温和。

Hospitality New Zealand Central Otago accommodation sector group chairperson Bridgit Parker said members were hesitant about the proposal.

新西兰中央Otago食宿部门组长Bridgit Parker说，委员们对这项提议犹豫不决。

She did not rule out a bed tax, but said any proposal needed rigorous discussion between all stakeholders involved.

她不排除征收卧床税，但表示任何提议都需要所有相关利益攸关方进行严格讨论。

Queenstown Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Ann Lockhart said tourist numbers have grown to the point that finding a solution was "extremely urgent".

昆斯敦商会首席执行官安洛克哈特说，旅游人数已经增加到“非常迫切”的地步。

There were three contenders for who would help foot the bill for increasing infrastructure costs - the government, ratepayers or visitors, Ms Lockhart said.

洛克哈特女士说，有三名竞争者会帮助支付增加基础设施成本的法案——政府、拉蒂帕人或来访者。

So far there is no firm timetable to bring in a bed tax, but the local industry wants more discussion and consultation before anything is decided.

到目前为止，没有制定征收床上税的固定时间表，但当地工业界希望在决定任何决定之前进行更多的讨论和协商。