How Are My Tourist Taxes Spent?

​We absolutely love welcoming visitors to our beautiful valley — and most locals do too. There’s something special about sharing Lauterbrunnen with people seeing it for the first time. Those wide eyes, the camera clicks, the “wow” moments — it never gets old.
In recent years, our little “postcard valley” has grown hugely in popularity, thanks in large part to social media and all those stunning photos shared around the world. And honestly, we can’t blame you — it is breathtaking.

With that popularity, however, come a few growing pains. You may have heard the term “overtourism” being mentioned lately as the Council and community work hard to manage the daily pressures that come with so many day visitors — especially when it comes to practical things like… well… toilets.

Last season, compostable toilets were introduced to help ease the situation (and to discourage people from using our charming streets as an alternative!). Lovingly clad in wood, these helpful little “street friends” blend beautifully into the natural surroundings of the valley while providing a much-needed service.

So how does this all get funded?
All accommodation providers — including us — contribute fees toward services provided by the Tourism Association. In addition, we collect tourist taxes on behalf of guests for the Tourist Office. These funds go directly back into keeping the valley clean, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.

For example, the seasonal cost of the compostable toilets (Kompotoi) is around 50,000 Swiss francs. That includes installation and dismantling, regular cleaning, generous supplies of toilet paper, sawdust bedding, and disinfectant — everything needed to keep things fresh and running smoothly.
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So now you know where some of your tourist taxes go 😊 They help protect the beauty of the valley, support essential services, and ensure that both visitors and locals can continue to enjoy this very special place.
And for that, we thank you. 💚

Photo: Christian Pfander