Pay to Play

We have all heard the adage, "The best things in life are free." Nowadays, fewer free things are available, and the things we pay for are only getting more expensive.?

One of the things I loved about backpacking through Europe when I was younger was that, generally, money, or the lack thereof, did not prevent me from seeing all the world had to offer.

As a 21-year-old kid with little to my name, I could access incredible art, taste great food, and see world-class live music. I stayed in a youth hostel in Amsterdam for $5 per night, ate delicious shawarma in Tel Aviv for 2 shekels, and visited the Tate Museum in London for even less. When I got to New York, I spent many late nights at The Village Gate watching legendary jazz musicians - for free. (The Village Gate is gone; no surprise, it's a CVS.)

There are still affordable things to do, but the options are decreasing quickly. Many cities worldwide are finding new ways to make money from tourism, but in doing so, they are making it difficult for people with lower incomes to participate.

Venice, Amsterdam, Spain, Greece, France, Portugal, Prague, and Rome all have some form of tourism tax. Germany has a culture tax, and California, Hawaii, and Florida all have hotel taxes that act as a de facto tourism tax. NYC also falls into this category with a 14% hotel room tax plus up to $2 per room per night.

Native New Yorkers deal with a bevy of taxes just for living here. We have mansion taxes, congestion pricing, local and state taxes, income taxes, and sales taxes. So. Many. Taxes.

I want to make it clear that I'm not against paying taxes. I fully support contributing my fair share for all the benefits New York has to offer. However, this made me wonder if New York could shift more of the financial burden to tourists.

The streets of New York City have never seemed busier. In non-tourist locations, I've been adopting a New York attitude and getting annoyed at tourists meandering on sidewalks, stopping to stare at the skyscrapers, and forgetting that people are walking behind them just trying to get to work.

The other night, it took me 15 minutes to walk three blocks through Times Square. If the city wants to solve some of its budget problems, it should start charging a modest fee to access Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, or other locations that draw in large groups of tourists. Nothing that would make it exclusive only for the rich, but a nominal fee so that visitors are contributing their fair share.

Perhaps we could consider eliminating or reducing taxes for New Yorkers. This could boost economic activity and make housing more affordable for residents rather than those only in the city for a short visit. You have to pay to play!

Side Bar:

This Monday is Memorial Day. I want to write about how we must honor all those who came before us, sacrificed their lives, and fought for our freedom. This year, I am looking for some answers and hope we can find inspiration from those who came before us. They made life-and-death decisions based on historical facts and followed the basic tenets of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.