“Overtourism” is already a buzzword this year. Before we were assailed with stories of crowded restaurants and attractions, we were urged to return to beach resorts and old favorites in the wake of the pandemic. A new directive in Amsterdam has told hedonistic Britons to stay away. In places like Athens, anti-tourist graffiti campaigns are being run by locals to let visitors know they are not welcome.
For other countries, tourist taxes are imposed in response. Typically it is only small amounts of money; Fees are usually added to hotel bills or paid at the airport. Here are the countries that will impose tourism taxes in 2024.
Greece
Greece introduced a new “climate crisis resilience fee” for tourists this year, replacing the previous hotel tax. According to the Greek government, fees will range between €1.50 (£1.30) and €10 (£8.60) depending on accommodation, quality and time of year. In low season the fee is limited to €4 (£3.45).
This follows a year of record rainfall and heatwaves that destroyed more than 1,500 square kilometers and killed 37 people.
Venice, Italy
A tourism tax has long been proposed as a solution to Venice’s overcrowding problem. This year the entrance fee system has finally been implemented. A trial will begin between April and mid-July, and on certain days (mostly weekends) visitors will need to pay €5 (£4.30) to access the city. This is only valid from 08.30 in the morning until 16.00 in the evening, meaning that those visiting the city in the evening will be exempt. Those staying overnight will also be exempt from the fee.
Few people expect visitor numbers to drop. Instead, revenues from the fee will be allocated to maintenance projects in the city, as well as “the quality of the tourist offer (services, events, museums, etc.)”.
Barcelona, Spain
Visitors to Barcelona have had to pay both citywide and regional taxes since 2012. Last year the council charge rose to €2.75 (£2.37); From April 1 this year, this amount will rise to €3.25 (£2.80).
Tourists pay the fee as part of their accommodation bill. Revenues are again used to finance city infrastructure such as bus routes and roadworks.
Valencia, Spain
Another Spanish tourist tax, this time in Valencia. It will also apply to visitors staying in official accommodation, including campsites, hotels and self-catering facilities. The style of accommodation will affect the amount paid, which ranges from 50 cents (43 pence) to €2 (£1.72).
It is unclear when the tax, known as the Valencia Tourist Accommodation Tax (IVET), will come into full force; authorities have been monitoring the implementation of this tax since late 2022. However, once the tax is implemented, the revenues will be used for the following purposes: Providing more affordable housing for local people living in tourist areas.
bali, indonesia
The Indonesian province has been popular with backpackers for decades, and now the region is implementing a fee to “preserve culture and nature.”
From 14 February 2024, visitors will need to pay a fee of approximately IDR 150,000, or just over £7.50. It won’t make a radical difference to the overall cost of a holiday, but it is one of the highest tourist taxes.
Tax needs to be paid at the airport or via the Love Bali app; This process will apparently take less than a minute.
Paris, France
Tourists have been charged for a long time daily tax Prices vary between cities in France. However, before the Paris Olympics, wages in the French capital will increase by approximately 200 percent.
Depending on the type of accommodation, visitors staying in hotel rooms in Paris can expect to pay a fee ranging from 75 cents (65 pence) to €15 (£12.90) per night. This is in addition to reported increases in subway fares, museum tickets and hotel room prices.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Netherlands has a long-established tourist tax policy, and Amsterdam has a deep-rooted problem with certain types of tourists.
This year the city toeristenbelasting, The tourist tax will increase from 7 percent of the cost of a hotel room to 12.5 percent, which will apply to both cruise passengers and overnight visitors. This makes it the highest of its kind in Europe.
Olhão, Portugal
Olhão, a fishing town in Portugal, started charging a tourist tax of €2 (£1.72) per night between April and October. During the off-season, this rate is halved and does not apply to children under 16.
The fee is also capped at five nights; This means a visitor may only be charged an additional fee of €10 (£8.60) per journey.
Iceland
During the pandemic, Iceland suspended tourism taxes. On 1 January 2024, hotels and hostels charged 600 ISK (£3.46), campsites charged 300 ISK (£1.73) and cruise ships stopping in Icelandic ports charged 1,000 ISK (£5.76).
This comes after a year in which tourism in the country was remarkable. Nearly 800,000 international visitors arrived last summer, up nearly a quarter on the same period in 2022, according to the Iceland Review. The European Travel Commission reports that both the number of nights stayed and the number of arrivals were higher last year than in 2019.
Places that currently have a tourism tax
Austria
Tourist tax in Austria depends on the state the traveler is visiting. In Vienna, for example, this amount is usually just over 3 percent of the accommodation bill.
Belgium
Tourist taxes vary between cities in Belgium, but are generally between €3 (£2.58) and €6 (£5.16).
Butane
Bhutan has been charging significant amounts of money from tourists since its opening in 1974. This fee currently stands at $200 (£157) per person per day in high season, with discounts available in low season.
Officials say the fees are used in part to preserve the country’s heritage and offset visitors’ carbon emissions.
Bulgaria
Those staying in Bulgarian resorts should expect a small surcharge, usually €2 (£1.72) per person.
Budapest, Hungary
Those staying in the Hungarian capital are charged a 4 percent surcharge per night on their hotel bills.
Caribbean Islands
Taxes vary by Caribbean island; A portion is charged upon departure in addition to the hotel bill or both. Typically tourist taxes average between 8 percent (Grenada, St Lucia) and 15 percent (Jamaica). Arrival and departure taxes also vary across the region; The Bahamas charges $15 (£11.78), Jamaica $35 (£27.50) and Bermuda $50 (£39).
Croatia
Visitors can expect to pay an additional 10 kuna (£1.10) per person per night.
Germany
Germany’s tourism taxes vary between cities. In Berlin, this amount corresponds to approximately 5 percent of the total accommodation bill.
Italy
In Italy, taxes are determined by individual municipalities. Generally the amount varies from €2 (£1.72) to €5 (£3.90) per person per day. Children, disabled passengers and their caregivers, and patients admitted to healthcare facilities are generally exempt.
Japan
Tourists visiting Japan pay a 1,000 yen (£5.40) exit tax to support the country’s infrastructure. As government officials worry about overcrowding in some of Japan’s largest cities, some prefectures have implemented their own surtaxes (amounting to about 50 pence per visit).
Malaysia
In Malaysia, tourists are charged RM10 (or £1.70) per room per night. In some areas, children and those traveling for medical reasons are exempt.
New Zeland
Most international visitors (except those from Australia) must pay a $35 (£17) tax to enter New Zealand. “It aims to address current challenges in tourism and conservation systems.”
Prague, Czech Republic
Tourist tax in Prague is usually around 50 Czech Koruna or £1.74 per night.
Slovenia
Like many tourist taxes, Slovenia’s varies between regions. You can expect a higher price (around €3 (£2.60)) in popular destinations such as Ljubljana and Bled.
Switzerland
Depending on the region and quality of accommodation, Switzerland’s tourist taxes are generally between CHF 2 (£1.84) and CHF 7 (£6.43) per person per night.
UAE
In Abu Dhabi, hotels often apply a 6 per cent tourism fee to guests’ hotel bills, in addition to a flat fee of AED 15 (£3.20) per room per night. In Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, the price varies depending on the quality of accommodation: rates range from AED7 (£1.50) to AED20 (£4.30) per night.
United States of America
Tourist taxes are not federally legislated in the United States; States and territories have the ability to charge varying fees. For example, the hotel tax rate in San Francisco is 16.25 percent; this includes a 14 percent “temporary occupancy tax” and a 2.25 percent “tourism development” fee.