Saturday, March 24, 2012

Exorbitant Taxation Without Representation (The Travel Edition)

Travelers seem to be easy pickings for taxing authorities to pick on. Travelers do not vote in their destinations, and have no say or influence with governments and authorities in these matters. The travelers have turned to be the pinatas for those governments. Wherever they go, and no matter what they do, they are whacked at with all kinds of fees and taxes. In air travel, some taxes and fees amount to 400% of the ticket breakdown. Yes, governments and taxing authorities receive more than airlines when airlines have to foot the fuel bills and pay for the employees, facilities and equipment. The gauntlet of taxes and fees do not start or end with air travel. Car rentals, hotel stays, and even apartment and home rentals are subjected to very high rates that defy any logical explanation. Even when you think you are paying too much, some countries charge "departure taxes" that are required to be paid in cash and are not collected by airlines. If this was the last event in a country visited, and the passenger did not expect it, it is not a good lasting impression. It is a shakedown. Travelers are the highest taxed people. They are not represented, and they receive very little in exchange for what they pay. www.premieretravel.com