Tourism tax is nothing new. Many countries have implemented tourism taxes for a number of reasons. Some use it to control the number of tourists and combat over-tourism, while others impose a fixed tax on each visitor. Revenue from these taxes is used to maintain tourism facilities and conserve natural resources.
Targeting tourists to boost local economies is a common practice in many places around the world. Most of the taxes levied on tourists are insignificant and should not discourage them from visiting. Here's a list of places that will charge tourists this year, and information on how officials plan to use the extra revenue.
- Bali, Indonesia: From February 14, 2024, travelers arriving in Bali will have to pay IDR 150,000 (€8.80) from international or domestic flights. This fee will be collected at special booths located at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. Funds collected will be used for various projects to protect Bali's environment, nature and culture and improve its overall quality.
- Olho, Portugal: Olhão started charging visitors €1 per night from November to March. Between April and October the tax is increased to €2. It is not suitable for children under the age of 16 and is closed for five nights – up to a maximum of €10 per trip. According to local officials, the fee is used to reduce the impact of tourism on the city of Alaghar, including improving cleanliness and safety.
- Faro and Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the Algarve region of Portugal: Two of the Algarve's 16 municipalities already charge a tourist tax: Faro (€1.5 per night for up to seven nights between March and October) and Vila Real de Santo Antonio (€1 per day for up to seven days).
- Barcelona, Spain: Since 2012, tourists visiting Barcelona have to pay a citywide surcharge in addition to a regional tourist tax. From April 1, 2023, Barcelona city authorities have increased the municipal fare to €2.75. Also, the fee will increase again on April 1, 2024 to €3.25. This tax applies to visitors staying in official tourist accommodation. Revenue from the tax will be used to fund the city's infrastructure, including improvements to roads, bus services and escalators, the council said.
- Valencia, Spain: Valencia, a region in Spain, has announced the introduction of a tourism tax for travelers staying in any type of accommodation such as hotels, hostels, apartments and campsites. Officially known as the Valencian Tax on Tourist Stays (IVET), the tax will come into force in 2024, although the exact date has yet to be announced. Taxes range from 50 cents to €2 per night for up to seven nights, depending on the accommodation chosen by visitors. Cruise ship passengers are charged €1.50 per day. The revenue generated by the tax will be used for the sustainable development of the region's tourism sector. In addition, the funds will also be used to provide affordable housing for local people in areas popular with tourists.
- Venice, Italy: Visitors planning to enter Venice on peak weekends and other selected days must pay a €5 fee from April to mid-July. This charge is applicable during peak hours (8:30 AM to 4:00 PM) only. Visitors entering the city after 4pm or attending dinner or concerts are exempt from this charge. The introduction of this day-trip fare aims to reduce congestion in the city, encourage longer visits and improve the quality of life of Venice residents.
- Austria: In Austria, there is an overnight accommodation tax, which varies by province. For example, in Vienna or Salzburg, an additional 3.02% is added to the hotel bill per person. The tourist tax is also known as Tourismusgesetz and Beherbergung Beiträge.
- Belgium: A tourist tax is charged for each night you stay in Belgium and accommodation. The fee is sometimes included in the hotel's room rate, but some split the cost into an additional charge, so check your bill carefully. Antwerp and Bruges charge per room. Prices in Brussels vary depending on the size and rating of the hotel. It is usually around €7.50.
- Bhutan: While the tourist fee of most countries is less than around €20, Bhutan's tax is comparatively high. Minimum daily rate for most foreigners: $250 (€228) per person per day in high season and slightly less in low season. But it covers a lot including accommodation, in-country transport, guide, food and entry fees.
- Bulgaria: Bulgaria applies a tourist tax for overnight stays. It is very low and varies by region and hotel category – up to around €1.50.
- Caribbean Islands: Many Caribbean islands charge visitors a tourism-related tax, which may be added to the hotel cost or charged as a departure fee. Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and some islands with fees and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the US Virgin Islands. Fares vary by island, from €13 in the Bahamas to €45 in Antigua and Barbuda.
- Croatia: Croatia increased its tourism tax in 2019. However, the increased rate is applicable only during the peak season in summer. Visitors charge about 10 kuna (€1.33) per person per night.
- Republic of Che: In the Czech Republic, tourists visiting the capital city of Prague must pay a small tourist tax. Fees are per person, per night, up to 60 nights and are less than €1. Children below 18 years are exempted from tax.
- France: Tourists visiting France must pay a 'taxe de séjour', which is added to their hotel bill and varies depending on the city they are staying in. The purpose of this tax is to maintain the tourism infrastructure of the city. Tax rates range from €0.20 to €4 per person, per night. In preparation for the upcoming 2024 Olympics, the tourism tax on hotel rooms has increased by 200 percent as of January 2024. Depending on the type of accommodation, the charge for this tax ranges from €0.75 to €15 per night in popular tourist destinations. Like Paris and Lyon.
- Germany: Germany has a 'culture tax' ('kulturförderabgabe') and a „bed tax” in cities such as Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin. The fee is approximately 5% of the hotel bill.
- Greece: In Greece, tourist tax is charged based on the number of hotel stars or the number of rooms rented. Maybe up to €4 per room. The tax was introduced by the Greek Ministry of Tourism to help reduce the country's debt.
- Hungary: Tourist tax in Hungary applies only to Budapest. Visitors must pay an additional 4% per night based on their room rate.
- Italy: Tourist tax in Italy varies by location. In Sicily, rates range from €1 to €3 per night. Whereas in Rome the rates range from €3 to €7 per night depending on the room type. However, some smaller towns charge more.
- Japan: In Japan, tourism tax is in the form of departure tax. Visitors must pay 1,000 yen (approximately €8) when leaving the country. This small tax makes a significant difference to the country's economy, according to the official tourism website.
- Malaysia: Malaysia's tourist tax is a flat rate and is charged per night. It costs around €4 a night, which isn't much.
- New Zealand: In New Zealand, visitors arriving on working holidays, tourists and some students and workers must pay the International Visitor Protection and Tourism Levy (IVL) on arrival, which costs $35 New Zealand dollars, approximately €21. However, this tax does not apply to those coming from Australia.
- Netherlands: There are two types of tourism tax: land tourism tax and water tourism tax. In Amsterdam, these taxes are 7% of the price of a hotel room, known as 'Dorstenbelasting'. From 2024, the tax rate will increase to 12.5%, making it the highest tourism tax in Europe. This tax applies to overnight visitors and cruise passengers.
- Portugal: In Portugal, tourist tax is charged to guests 13 years of age or older and is charged per person per night. The tax is approximately €2 and applies in 13 of Portugal's 308 municipalities, including major cities such as Porto, Lisbon and Faro. This tax is payable only for the first seven days of your stay.
- Slovenia: In Slovenia, the tourist tax varies depending on the hotel's location and rating. It is slightly higher in larger cities and resort towns such as Ljubljana and Bled, where it is €3.
- Spain: If you are planning to visit Ibiza or Majorca in Spain, you should be aware of the tourist tax that you will have to pay for your stay. A standard tourist tax applies to holiday accommodation in the Balearic Islands, including Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, and applies to every holidaymaker aged 16 or over. In high season, the tax is up to €4 per night, which varies depending on the type of accommodation you choose.
- Switzerland: Tourist tax in Switzerland varies depending on where you stay. This fee is charged per night and per person and is usually €2.20. Accommodation quotes generally do not include tourist tax, which is shown as a separate amount for clarity. Also, this tax is applicable only for stays less than 40 days.
- America: Most United States charge a hotel tax or lodging tax to travelers who rent lodging. This tax is also known as Occupancy Tax and it applies to hotels, hostels and hostels. Houston is said to be at most 17% of your hotel bill.
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