City tax and tourist promotion tax
With the establishment of the Tourism Association of the Binntal Nature Park, it became necessary to harmonize the tourist tax regulations in the three municipalities of Ernen, Binn, and Grengiols. This unified regulation was approved by the State Council in June 2020 and has since come into effect.
To offer guests an attractive range of services, it was decided to implement a slightly higher tourist tax rate.
How is the flat-rate tourist tax calculated?
The flat-rate fee covers all overnight stays in the respective accommodation. It is calculated based on three factors:
- Number of beds (the bed factor is defined according to the size of the apartment. This number is fixed and cannot be changed.)
- Average occupancy (28 nights)
- Tourist tax rate (CHF 3.50)
| Apartment size | Flat-rate tourist tax |
| Up to 2.5 rooms (2 beds) | CHF 196.00 |
| 3 to 3.5 rooms (4 beds) | CHF 392.00 |
| 4 rooms and larger (5 beds) | CHF 490.00 |
| Maiensässe and alpine huts | CHF 98.00 |
The tourist tax may be passed on to guests:
adults (from 16 years) CHF 3.50, children between 6 and 16 years CHF 1.75.
The tax can be passed on but is not mandatory.
The tourism promotion tax
The tourism promotion tax serves to strengthen the destination and its offerings. The revenue generated may only be used to finance tourism promotion measures.
All legal entities, natural persons, and self-employed individuals — including holiday apartment landlords who benefit directly or indirectly from tourism — are subject to the tax.
It is regulated separately in the three municipalities of Binn, Ernen, and Grengiols and is charged once per year.
The tourist tax regulation
According to the tourist tax regulation, nights spent in holiday apartments and "Maiensäss" (seasonal alpine chalets) are charged on a flat-rate basis. This is stipulated in the Valais Tourism Law. Hotels, campsites, mountain huts, and group accommodations continue to be billed based on actual overnight stays.
The tourist tax is a dedicated fee that directly benefits the guests. It is used to maintain tourist infrastructure and to finance the services included with the guest card.
Where does the visitor's tax money go?
The revenue from the visitor's tax (Kurtaxe) in the municipalities of Ernen, Binn, and Grengiols is used by the Binntal Nature Park for services that benefit guests. In particular, these funds support the operation of an information and reservation service, local events and activities, as well as the development and maintenance of facilities related to tourism, sports, or culture. Services already listed under the "Guest Card" are not repeated here. The following is an overview of the funded services:
Information:
- Personal, telephone, and email support for guests
- Management of modern guest communication and marketing
- Development of various informational brochures
- Provision of a reservation platform and support for holiday home owners
Infrastructure and Services:
Guests in the Binntal Nature Park can access many offers — often free of charge, even without showing the guest card. The provision of these services is funded by the visitor's tax. Some of these offers are co-financed by the Tourism Association of the Binntal Nature Park.
- Winter activities: Toboggan runs, winter hiking trails, cross-country ski trails, natural ice rink in Grengiols Play and sports facilities, including barbecue area
- Enchanted Forest in Ernen
- Lengenbach Quarry
- Transportation: late-night connections to Ernen – Binn and Mühlebach – Steinhaus
- Bus Alpin
Cultural contributions:
- Music Village Ernen
- Binn Cultural Evenings
- Hammered Dulcimer Festival
- Forum Ernen
- TWINGI Art Exhibition
- Grengiols Culture
Miscellaneous:
- Coworking Space in Ernen
- Promotion of these events
The collection of the visitor's tax has been contractually delegated by the destination municipalities to the Tourism Association of the Binntal Nature Park. This association organizes, implements, and monitors the collection process.