As an accommodation host in the municipalities of Interlaken, Matten b. Interlaken, Unterseen, Wilderswil, Gsteigwiler and Saxeten (IMU WGS), there are a variety of rules and regulations that you need to follow. The most important points for smooth collaboration are summarised below.
Mandatory registration
Accommodation providers in the municipalities of Interlaken, Matten b. Interlaken, Unterseen, Wilderswil, Gsteigwiler and Saxeten are required to register with the Tourismus-Organisation Interlaken (TOI). New hotels, hostels and campsites should email finanzen@interlakentourism.ch.
Holiday apartment owners (regardless of which booking platform is used) must obtain a permit from the municipality where the holiday apartment is located. Once permission has been received from the responsible local authority, the data sheet for new accommodation registrations (only available in German) must be completed and submitted to the Tourismus-Organisation Interlaken.
Mandatory registration also applies to owners or permanent tenants of an apartment used exclusively as a holiday apartment for themselves and their relatives. For registration, the owners' application for flat-rate visitor’s taxes (only available in German) or the permanent tenants' application for flat-rate visitor’s taxes (only available in German) must be completed and submitted to the Tourismus-Organisation Interlaken.
Tourism taxes
The Tourismus-Organisation Interlaken has been commissioned with collecting and monitoring visitor’s tax by the aforementioned municipalities.
Any person who stays overnight in the above-mentioned municipalities without tax residence is liable to pay the visitor’s tax. Real estate within the meaning of Article 655 of the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB) does not offer exemption from visitor’s tax obligations.
According to the regulations, accommodation providers are responsible for collecting the visitor’s tax from the guest and are liable jointly and severally. Checks can be carried out to verify that the visitor’s tax has been settled correctly and in full.
The Cantonal Tourism Development Act (TEG) provides for an accommodation tax per overnight stay for overnight guests in the Canton of Bern. The following are liable for tax (TEG, Art. 20):
All accommodation providers of hotels, hostels, youth hostels, group accommodation, guest houses, holiday and recreation homes, campsites, holiday apartments, holiday homes, private rooms, bed & breakfasts or “sleeping in the straw” at farms.
The accommodation tax is currently one franc per night per person aged 16 and over. The Tourismus-Organisation Interlaken collects the accommodation tax together with the visitor’s tax. Further information on the cantonal accommodation tax can be found here.
The tourism promotion tax (TFA) was introduced in the municipalities of Interlaken, Matten b. Interlaken, Unterseen, Wilderswil, Gsteigwiler and Saxeten (IMU WGS) on 1 January 2004.
Pursuant to Article 4 (IMU) and Article 3 (WGS) of the TFA Regulations, the following are liable for tax:
a) Legal entities with registered office or permanent establishment in the municipalities of Interlaken, Matten b. Interlaken, Unterseen, Wilderswil, Gsteigwiler and Saxeten
b) Self-employed persons with a business or permanent establishment in the municipalities listed under a)
c) Owners of holiday apartments, rooms and chalets that are rented to persons not resident in one of the above-mentioned municipalities (non-hotel accommodation)
The tourism promotion tax is invoiced annually by the Tourismus-Organisation Interlaken. Further information can be found in the TFA regulations and ordinances for the municipalities:
Interlaken guest card
Upon payment of the visitor’s tax, every guest is entitled to the Interlaken guest card. This means that guests can enjoy many benefits and discounts throughout the holiday region.
Once the accommodation has been registered with the Tourismus-Organisation Interlaken, all accommodation providers will receive access to the Interlaken guest card.
Dos & don’ts in the Holiday Region Interlaken
The Holiday Region Interlaken welcomes guests from all over the world. To ensure pleasant relations between guests and hosts, Interlaken Tourism recommends that all accommodation providers provide their guests with the link to the behavioural tips page when booking. This helps guests be well prepared for their holidays and also discover exciting recommendations, Swiss customs and norms.
Direct reservation system
The Tourismus-Organisation Interlaken has a direct reservation system for accommodation. Contact if you are interested in participating: