If you’re planning a trip in 2024, be prepared for a few unforeseen expenses. A growing number of destinations worldwide are collecting a tax on tourists—a fee that’s often added to hotel bills or charged upon arrival.
Tourism taxes are nothing new. Bolstering local economies by targeting out-of-towners has long been commonplace everywhere from New York to New Zealand. According to a 2020 report by Group NAO and GDS-Movement, the practice has grown in popularity over the past decade—particularly in the US and Europe.
A few reasons explain the tax uptick, explains Guy Bigwood, one of the report’s authors and “chief changemaker” at the Global Destination Sustainability Movement. More destinations are creating sustainability initiatives—and to reach their green goals, they need additional funding. “Tourism taxes and especially assessments or levies can help with this,” Bigwood says.
Travel to popular locales has also bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, reigniting “tourismphobia”: the fear, anxiety, and rejection of unsustainable tourism practices. “Tourism taxes and assessments are being considered as a tool to control numbers,” he adds.
Bigwood believes the overwhelming success of this international revenue strategy means the practice is here to stay. Visitor-generated revenue shifts some of the tax burden from residents to foreigners, consequently mitigating the impacts of overtourism and improving the quality of local life.
In Greece, a hike in an existing hotel tax will help combat natural disasters caused by climate change. In Dubrovnik, a tariff imposed on cruise ships will help improve the ancient city’s infrastructure.
Most of these taxes are nominal—and shouldn’t be a deterrent to travelers. “Actually, we are seeing that tourists and businesses are happy to pay a levy if they know the money will be well spent in their community,” says Bigwood.
However, costs can add up. Which is why we’ve rounded up all the places that have recently added, increased, or have plans to change their tourism taxes in 2024.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam’s tourism tax is already Europe’s highest. In 2024, the Dutch city plans to increase the hotel room tax from 7% to 12.5%. The tariff for cruise-ship passengers will also rise from €8 (roughly $8.73) to €11 (roughly $12) per person per day.
“Visitors will thus help to pay for the city to carry out its tasks,” Hester van Buren, Amsterdam’s deputy mayor for finance, said. “This allows us to address the consequences of overtourism and direct additional resources to keeping the streets clean and solving acute problems in neighborhoods and districts.”
Bali, Indonesia
Starting on February 14, 2024, non-Indonesian visitors to Bali will pay a per-person fee of 150,000 IDR (roughly $10). Officials state that the tourism tax will be used for cultural and environmental protection.
Barcelona and Valencia, Spain
Barcelona will increase its municipal tourism tax in April 2024, impacting travelers staying in government-regulated tourist accommodations. The surcharge, currently €2.75 per night, will rise to €3.25, applicable only for the first seven consecutive days of a stay.
This increased tax aims to attract high-value tourism over mass tourism, generating significant revenue for improving infrastructure, protecting the environment, and enforcing local laws. Valencia is introducing a similar tax, ranging from 50 cents to €2 per night depending on the accommodation.
Bhutan
Unlike most destinations with a tourism tax, travel to Bhutan just got cheaper. However, not that cheap. Before the pandemic, visitors to the Himalayan kingdom paid $65 daily for the nation’s “Sustainable Development Fee,” which invests in cultural heritage and environmental protection.
Now, officials are slashing the tax in half. As of September 2023, Bhutan charges $100 per day for visiting adults, and $50 per day for children ages six to 12. This effort aims to increase tourist numbers and reap economic benefits while maintaining sustainability practices.
Iceland
Travelers to Iceland will fork out a yet-to-be-determined tourist tax starting sometime in 2024—though visitors shouldn’t fear a significant expense. Icelandic authorities emphasize that this fee will support sustainability programs, which are crucial for preserving the country’s natural landscapes.
Manchester, United Kingdom
In 2023, England’s third-largest city became the UK’s first to implement a tourism tax. Travelers to Manchester will notice an extra £1 (roughly $1.25) added to their hotel or rental bill per room per night. Officials hope the tax will support various local initiatives, enhancing the tourist experience.
Olhão, Portugal
Olhão, the biggest fishing port in Portugal’s Algarve region, started charging a tourist tax in June 2023. Visitors now pay €2 per night during the high season (April to October) and €1 during the rest of the year. According to local authorities, 50% of the revenue will alleviate tourism’s negative effects.
Thailand
Last summer, Thailand introduced a small, one-off charge for visitors. Those who arrive by air will be taxed 300 baht (roughly $9), and those who come by land or water will be charged 150 baht ($4). This tax applies to those staying overnight only, with exemptions in place for certain categories of travelers.
Venice, Italy
Day-trippers to Italy’s floating city should keep their pulse on local laws: throughout the year, visitors might have to pay €5 ($5.40) to see the famed UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fee will apply to all tourists over 14 entering the city’s historic center. The levy aims to mitigate the problems caused by mass tourism.
More Tourist Fees in 2025
Denmark
Get ready to pay a “passenger tax” for flights to Denmark—part of that nation’s green transformation of air travel. The plan, proposed for 2025, would charge air travelers the Danish krone equivalent of roughly $9 for flights within Europe.
European Union
Starting in 2025, non-EU residents without special visa requirements to enter Europe will need to register for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The application will cost about €7 per person, designed to improve border security and protect EU citizens.
