Small tourist establishments in Brussels left to their own devices

The smaller players who run tourist establishments or residential accommodation are left to their own devices by Brussels. The larger hotels have already received a total of EUR 10.8 million in contributions. This is discrimination, according to Brussels MP Mathias Vanden Borre.

From the end of October 2020, operators of hotels and aparthotels had three weeks to submit a request for support to the Brussels Department of Economy and Employment. The aid consists of a contribution of EUR 1,100 per accommodation unit, i.e. a hotel room or any part of a tourist establishment that can accommodate one or more tourists. The total aid may not exceed EUR 200,000 per hotel or aparthotel and EUR 800,000 per beneficiary. If the basic capacity of the hotel or aparthotel is no more than 18 accommodation units, the aid consists of a fixed contribution of EUR 20,000.

Already EUR 10.8 million for larger hotels

The Prime Minister’s answer to Mathias Vanden Borre’s written question shows that 142 companies (operating 166 establishments with 16,240 accommodation units) have submitted an application for support. Applications from 95 companies were approved. As far as is known, EUR 10.8 million in contributions have already been granted. “Of the EUR 10.8 million in contributions paid, EUR 1.6 million goes to two companies that received the maximum of EUR 800,000 per beneficiary and EUR 4.2 million to 14 companies that received the maximum of EUR 200,000 per establishment. EUR 220,000 is earmarked for 11 companies that received a fixed contribution of EUR 20,000 per establishment (< 18 accommodation units),” Mathias Vanden Borre explained.

Not a penny for smaller tourist establishments

“There is no question that the hotel industry is being hit hard by the health crisis. The Brussels government mainly supports large hotels, usually with international chains, arguing that they provide a lot of work. In doing so, however, this government is leaving the smaller players that offer tourist accommodation to their own devices. They don’t get a penny,” Mathias Vanden Borre complains.

Small and large do pay the same hotel tax

When asked about extending the support measures for hotels and aparthotels to other categories of accommodation, the Minister-President replied that this is not currently being discussed by his government. “It is disappointing that the government is not considering offering anything to the enterprising Brussels resident. It is especially cynical because small players who want to rent out a room have to pay the same hotel tax as big professional hotels. Now they are excluded from the support measures. In this way, it is no wonder that only 11% of entrepreneurs still have confidence in the Vervoort government,” Mathias Vanden Borre concludes.