Toverland opposes 150 percent amusement tax increase

Toverland, a theme park located in Horst aan de Maas, has expressed strong opposition to a proposed tax increase by the local municipality. The municipality plans to raise the amusement tax, often referred to as the prettax, from 10 to 25 euro cents per visitor in 2027. This 150 percent increase would result in an additional annual cost of approximately 150,000 euros for the park, totaling a quarter million euros per year.

General Director Jean Gelissen has called for the complete abolition of the tax, questioning why amusement parks are singled out while large garden centers and shopping malls, which also generate traffic and use public facilities, remain unaffected. The management noted that the tax is collected per paying visitor regardless of the park's profitability, which does not account for high investment costs, economic fluctuations, or weather conditions. Toverland argued that the funds could otherwise be used for new attractions and facilities.