Schaffhausen tourism to be financed according to the performance principle
In future, a consistent performance principle should apply to the services offered by the Schaffhausen tourism organization. This is the recommendation of the Schaffhauserland Tourism Task Force in its final report.
It proposes an overnight tax of CHF 2.50 and a cantonal contribution of CHF 250,000 for public services. The current system of cantonal and communal contributions is to be replaced by payments according to performance. Public service must be discussed with the canton and municipalities, said the head of the task force, Thomas Hollenstein, to the media on Wednesday. It must be clarified what services politicians want in the future and what is financed cantonally and what locally. One thing is certain, however: the current services cannot be maintained without cantonal funding.
"Performance according to the order principle"
Until now, the canton has paid CHF 450,000 annually to Schaffhauserland Tourismus (SHLT). However, the contribution was discontinued because voters rejected the bill for a new tourism law last October. In the meantime, however, the cantonal council has referred a popular motion to the cantonal government calling for a new bill to be drawn up. The task force proposes a reduced cantonal contribution of CHF 250,000 and an accommodation tax of CHF 2.50 per overnight stay. Instead of demanding obligatory contributions from the municipalities, the task force recommends concluding individual cost-covering service agreements with the three "tourist hotspots" of Schaffhausen, Neuhausen am Rheinfall and Stein am Rhein. In addition, these three municipalities should each contribute CHF 40,000 per year to supra-regional marketing. The remaining municipalities are to be offered a service package based on the "order principle".
Business plan with two variants
The task force has reviewed all key financial figures and identified an imbalance, particularly in the Tourist Offices and in the 1400 or so guided tours conducted each year. While the Info Shop at the Rhine Falls is profitable, the Tourist Office in Schaffhausen is in the red. A new service agreement needs to be drawn up with the city, said Hollenstein. The Tourist Office at Herrenacker has developed into a contact point for Schaffhausen residents. A new service agreement should also be concluded with the Tourist Office in Stein am Rhein and local funding increased. The guided tours offered by SHLT also do not cover their costs. Prices have therefore been increased by 30 percent. SHLT has taken various immediate measures for 2016. Among other things, jobs were cut and cooperation agreements were terminated. The opening hours of the tourist offices in Stein am Rhein and Schaffhausen were reduced, image advertising was scaled back and French print products were discontinued. There are also plans to set up a project group before the referendum on the new tourism law. This group is to draw up a business plan in two versions: for a "yes" in the referendum and for a "no". "The voters need to know what will happen," emphasized Hollenstein. This plan B was missing in the last vote. (SDA)
