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Grabowhöfen returns tourism certificate: A surprising step!
The municipality of Grabowhöfe is returning the tourist resort title because it does not offer any added value and a tourist tax is being sought from 2026.
Grabowhöfen returns tourism certificate: A surprising step!
The municipality of Grabowhöfe has decided to return the “tourism location” certificate, which it received less than two years ago. Mayor Enrico Malow explains that the title offers no added value for the municipality. The local council unanimously decided to return the certificate before it could become a legal obligation to collect a tourist tax from guests from 2026.
Malow emphasizes that the municipality is currently not in a position to collect this tourist tax. The aim of Grabowhöfe is to create attractive offers for guests that are not perceived as “rip-offs”. There are already tourist attractions such as the local zoo and the church, which the community is proud of.
Consequences of renouncing the title
The return of the title also means that the municipality is exempted from the obligation to collect a tourist tax. In order to be able to charge a tourist tax, significant investments in infrastructure, such as public toilets and vending machines, would be required.
Grabowhöfe's decision surprises neighboring communities such as Alt Schwerin. Mayor Daniel Radtke is positive about the voluntary introduction of the tourist tax in his municipality, which amounts to one euro per day in the high season. Radtke emphasizes that the income from the tourist tax benefits the community, especially for tourism projects and improving infrastructure.
Reactions and perspectives
The discussion about the tourist tax is causing mixed feelings among holiday apartment landlords, as it could mean additional costs and effort for holidaymakers. In the Müritz region there are currently 46 official tourism locations and three tourism regions, all of which want to exploit their tourism potential to make traveling in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania attractive.
The state government is supporting communities to understand the benefits of “tourism destination” status. Radtke recommends that Malow consult with the tourism association or the relevant office to examine the positive aspects of the title and find possible solutions.
Grabowhöfe is at a crucial point: the return of the certificate could have both negative and positive effects on the future tourism development of the community. A balanced approach that takes into account guests' perspectives and the municipality's financial needs could be crucial to continued success.