Most visitors and second-home owners in the Gstaad region will have come across the term Kurtaxe. Yet few know exactly what it covers, who pays it, and how much it actually amounts to.

In Switzerland, municipalities with a strong tourism focus are entitled — with cantonal approval — to levy a visitor’s tax. In the Saanenland, this tax is not merely an additional charge; it is earmarked for specific services that directly benefit guests.

“The revenue from the tourist tax is used to finance information services, infrastructure and events that serve visitors,” explains Flurin Riedi. Crucially, these funds cannot be used for tourism marketing or general municipal expenses. “The tax is strictly purpose-bound and must benefit the guest,” he adds.

Who pays — and who doesn’t
The tourist tax applies to anyone staying overnight in the municipalities of Saanen, Gsteig, Lauenen, and Zweisimmen who is not a tax resident there. Owning property does not exempt you: the tax is linked to overnight stays, not ownership.

Children under the age of six are exempt. Beyond that, the system distinguishes between two models:

• Per-night tax for hotel guests

• Annual flat-rate tax for owners of second homes, holiday apartments and private rooms

For second homes, the flat rate is calculated based on the number of rooms rather than actual occupancy.

How much is it?
In most parts of the Gstaad holiday region — including Gstaad, Saanen, Schönried, Saanenmöser and Turbach — the tourist tax for hotel guests is CHF 5.80 per person per night.

There are a few exceptions:

• In Abländschen, the rate is lower at CHF 3.00

• In group accommodation, camps or simpler lodging, rates range between CHF 2.50 and CHF 3.60

• In Zweisimmen, the tax is CHF 3.70 (or CHF 2.20 for simpler accommodation)

Recent revisions to local regulations have also removed earlier distinctions between hotel categories. Today, guests pay the same rate regardless of whether they stay in a three-star or five-star property.

Who collects — and who controls
The tax is collected by Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus (GST) on behalf of the municipalities. The funds are then allocated in accordance with formal agreements with the local authorities.

Oversight remains with the municipalities themselves. A supervisory commission, representing all four communities, reviews how the funds are used several times a year. “The municipalities retain overall control,” says Riedi.

Where does the money go?
While the tax cannot be used for marketing, it plays a central role in maintaining the visitor experience — from tourist information services and local infrastructure to events and amenities that might otherwise not be financially viable.

Kurtaxe – a recurring point of debate
As with any levy, the tourist tax is not without criticism — particularly when rates are adjusted. “People never enjoy paying taxes,” Riedi acknowledges. “But when you look at what is financed through it, the perspective often changes.”

Communication, he adds, is key. “We make a point of explaining clearly how the funds are used and what they enable in concrete terms.”

In the end, the Kurtaxe remains a small but structural element of the region’s tourism model — one that is largely invisible in daily use, yet underpins many of the services visitors take for granted.

based on AvS | Paula H. Mittag

 

KURTAXE in short:

 

Here is a clean English version you can use (adapted to GL tone and clarity):

TOURIST TAX (KURTAXE)
The tourist tax is paid by guests per overnight stay.

Purpose:
It is primarily used to finance concrete services for guests, such as:
– Guest cards / public transport offers
– Events
– Hiking trails, cross-country ski tracks
– Infrastructure

TFA (TOURISM PROMOTION LEVY)
TFA stands for Tourism Promotion Levy.

It is not paid by guests, but by tourism-related businesses, such as:
– Hotels
– Holiday apartment rentals
– Restaurants
– Retail businesses

Purpose:
The TFA finances tourism marketing, infrastructure and services that benefit the destination as a whole.

Overlap:
Both levies flow into tourism and are often managed by the same tourism organisation.