By Katelyn Washington
published August 16, 2023
When traveling abroad, tourist taxes are probably the last expense on your mind. After all, plane tickets, hotel stays, and food and entertainment costs can easily add up to several thousand dollars. However, tourist taxes can make your vacation more expensive, and they’re rising in several locations.
Tourist Taxes Make Traveling Abroad More Expensive
Tourist taxes are precisely what they sound like—taxes aimed at tourists to generate revenue for local economies. These taxes help offset costs and deter the negative impacts of tourism and over-tourism, such as littering. Moreover, you might not immediately realize you’re paying these taxes, as they are typically levied indirectly through hotel accommodations or other service providers.
For instance, in the U.S., the room occupancy tax on a hotel stay in Connecticut is 15%, despite the state imposing a regular sales tax rate of 6.35%. This difference adds up, effectively functioning as a tourist tax. It’s also common for rental cars to come with additional taxes that operate similarly.
Notable Destinations with Rising Tourist Taxes
If you’re traveling abroad this year, here are several destinations where international tourist taxes are increasing.
Europe Tourist Visa
If you plan to visit Europe, note that by 2024, the days of visiting without a visa will end. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETAS) will be necessary for visiting 30 European countries. Fortunately, applications will be available online for a €7 ($7.64) fee.
- Travelers under 18 do not need to pay the fee.
- Adults over 70 are also exempt from this fee.
According to the European Union, the implementation of ETAS will impact an estimated 1.4 billion travelers. Although initially set to be effective this year, delays offer vacationers a little more time to prepare.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a leading tourist destination in Spain, attracting over 12 million visitors annually according to local statistics. Tourist taxes are not new here; Barcelona has imposed these taxes since 2012. Nevertheless, the fee increased in spring 2023 and is set to rise again next year.
- In April 2023, the per-night visitor fee rose to €2.75 (or $3.00), which is €1 ($1.09) more than before.
- By April 2024, the nightly fee will increase to €3.25 ($3.55).
This increment may seem tiny, yet travelers staying at five-star hotels will incur an even higher tax of €6.75 (or $7.36) per night. Consequently, this could result in €189 (over $206) per week for a family of four in tourist taxes alone.
Valencia
Valencia, another favorite among travelers in Spain, also requires visitors to pay a tourist tax, even for campsites. The tax ranges from 50 cents to €2 (up to $2.18) per night, with the revenue allocated for creating affordable housing for residents.
Venice
Venice welcomes approximately 19 million visitors annually, renowned for its stunning architecture and art. For those planning a day trip in 2024, be prepared to pay a fee ranging from €3 to €10 (or $3.27 to $10.91) per person, aimed at encouraging longer stays.
This decision was affirmed by Simone Venturini, the Deputy Mayor of Venice for Tourism, highlighting the need to manage the extensive day-tripper crowd.
Olhão
Olhão, Portugal, a charming Algarve town, is fabricating measures to address tourism’s downsides, including pollution. To combat these impacts, a new tourist tax of €2 ($2.18) per night will be implemented, with some exceptions. Visitors will pay half—€1 ($1.09)—between November and March, and the tax will apply only to the first five nights. Additionally, children under 16 are exempt from this charge.
Honorable Mention: Thailand
Thailand has repeatedly postponed a tourist tax, but it may soon come into effect. If implemented, those arriving in Thailand by air would pay a fee of roughly $8 (300 baht), while those coming by land or water would be charged about $4 (150 baht).
