Barcelona increases tourist tax this week: where else will you have to pay to enter in 2024?

Overtourism could be the word of the year for 2023 in the travel industry.

News stories about the negative effects of too many tourists were all over the place. The world's most popular destinations, including Venice, Barcelona and New Zealand, are struggling to keep visitor numbers down.

What is the problem with overtourism? Well, local residents are suffering because property is no longer available because landlords have bought up vacation homes. Authorities are struggling to manage trash left behind by tourists, and pollution is contributing to the climate crisis.

One strategy that tourist destinations literally rely on is tourism taxes. This is a fee that tourists must pay in addition to their normal expenses such as accommodation and food.

Of course, this is not a new concept. If you've ever traveled abroad, you've probably paid a tourist tax at some point. You may not have noticed because it's sometimes included in the taxes you pay on your flight or hotel.

Read about where a tourist tax will be introduced in 2023 and where it will be introduced in 2024.

Barcelona to raise tourism tax (again) in 2024

In 2022, city officials announced: Barcelona tourist tax This is expected to increase over the next two years.

Since 2012, travelers visiting Catalonia's capital have been required to pay both a regional tourist tax and a city-wide surcharge.

On April 1, 2023, the city authorities increased the city tax to 2.75 euros.

The second price increase will take place on April 1, 2024, when the fee will increase to 3.25 euros.

This tax applies to visitors staying in official tourist accommodation.

The council said the proceeds would go toward improving the city's infrastructure, including improving roads, bus services and escalators.

Portimao, Portugal to introduce tourist tax in March 2024

The city of Portimão followed in the footsteps of neighboring towns and introduced a tourist tax in March.

Portugal's Algarve port city changes the tax depending on high and low season, setting it at 2 euros per night from April to October and 1 euro per night from November to March.

Olhão Portuguese The fishing town, popular with tourists, similarly began charging tourists 2 euros per night between April and October last year. From November to March, the tax will be reduced to 1 euro. It does not apply to children under 16 years of age and the upper limit is for him to stay for 5 nights, i.e. a maximum of 10 euros per trip.

This fee will be used to minimize the impact of tourism on Algarve towns, including improving cleanliness, safety and sustainability.

Of the 16 municipalities in the Algarve region, two are already tourist-friendly: Faro (1.50 euros per night for 7 nights from March to October) and Vila Real de Santo Antonio (1 euro per day for 7 days) imposes a tax.

Bali: Tourism tax introduced in February 2024

Known as the land of the gods, Bali attracts tourists from all over the world with its beaches, islands, and spiritual culture.

But tourism comes with its problems, and Bali hopes to solve some of them with a new tax that must be paid upon entry.

From February 14, 2024, international and domestic arrivals will have to pay a fee of Rp 150,000 (€8.80). This must be paid at a special booth at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. Officials say the process takes less than 30 seconds.

They said the proceeds will be donated to projects that “protect and improve quality of the environment, nature and culture” in Bali.

Will Thailand introduce tourism fees in 2024?

Back in 2022, it was rumored that a tourism tax would be introduced in June 2023, but this did not happen, and neither did the next deadline of October. And plans for 2024 have not yet been decided.

Airlines and airline representative bodies are said to be objecting to the charges.

When it was first rumored, it was said that the tax would be 300 baht (8 euros).

Commissioner of Tourism Agency in 2022 Thailand He told Reuters that some of the fees were “used to take care of the tourists” because they were sometimes not covered by health insurance. It will also help fund further development of tourist attractions such as the capital's Royal Palace. Bangkok.

Tourist tax in Venice: When will tourists have to pay the entrance fee in 2024?

venicetourism tax has been the subject of much debate and delay. The city is one of the most touristic in Europe, pushing local residents out of the narrow, crowded streets of the city center.

It has been confirmed that Lagoon City will trial an entrance fee for part of 2024.

Visitors must pay a fee of 5 euros to enter on weekends and other days during the peak season, which totals 29 days from April to mid-July.

The day rate applies during peak hours (8:30am to 4pm), so visitors who come to Venice for dinner or a concert do not have to pay.

Admission fees are intended to reduce crowding, encourage long-term visits, and improve residents' quality of life.

Proceeds from admission fees will be donated to services that support city residents, including maintenance, cleaning, and reducing the cost of living.

read This article Learn more about Venice tourist tax here.

These are all countries where you already have to pay a tourist fee to enter

Many countries have already introduced tourist fees for a variety of reasons.

For some, it has to do with controlling tourist numbers and preventing infection. overtourism.

For others, it's like imposing a sustainability tax on each visitor. These taxes are used to maintain tourist facilities and protect natural resources.

Austria

in Austria Accommodation tax will be charged. Tax amounts vary depending on your state of residence. vienna or in Salzburg, you will pay an additional 3.02% on top of the hotel rate per person.

Tourism tax is also known as Tourismusgesetz and Berherbergungsbeiträge.

Belgium

The tourist tax is Belgium It also applies to accommodations each night you stay.

In some cases, it is included in the hotel room rate, but in others, it may be added as an additional fee, so be sure to check your bill carefully.

Antwerp and Bruges charge per room. Prices in Brussels vary depending on the size and rating of the hotel.

Generally it costs around 7.50 euros.

bhutan

Tourist fees in most countries are around 20 euros or less, but Bhutan's taxes are very high in comparison.

The minimum rate for most foreigners is $250 (€228) per person per day during high season, and slightly less during low season.

However, many costs are included, such as accommodation, domestic transportation, guides, meals, and entrance fees.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria A tourist fee will be charged for accommodation.

Prices are very cheap and can cost up to €1.50 depending on region and hotel class.

Caribbean islands

Most Caribbean islands add a tourist tax to your hotel or departure fee.

Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, dominican republicGrenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the U.S. Virgin Islands all charge some form of fee to visitors. I am.

Prices range from 13 euros in the Bahamas to 45 euros in Antigua and Barbuda.

Croatia

Croatia We increased the tourism tax in 2019. However, the increased rate only applies during the summer peak season.

Tourists pay approximately 10 Kunas (€1.33) per person per night.

Czech Republic

The only time you have to pay tourist fees in the Czech Republic is when you visit the capital. prague.

The fees are very small (less than 1 euro) and are paid per person per night for a maximum of 60 nights. The tax does not apply to children under the age of 18.

France: Paris tourism tax to increase thanks to 2024 Olympics

You need to pay a “sejour tax” France. This is added to your hotel bill and varies depending on the city you stay in.

Prices range from EUR 0.20 to approximately EUR 4 per person per night.

tourist attractions like Paris and lyon The money will be used to maintain tourism infrastructure.

Looking to 2024 OlympicAs of January 2024, tourism taxes on hotel rooms have increased by 200%.

Depending on the type of accommodation, prices range from €0.75 to €15 per night.

Germany

In Germany, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin.

The fee is approximately 5% of the hotel cost.

Greece

The tourist tax is Greece It is based on the star rating of the hotel or the number of rooms you rent. Maximum charge is 4 euros per room.

This was introduced by the Greek Ministry of Tourism to help reduce Greece's debt.

Hungary

Hungarian tourism fees apply only in the following cases: budapest.

Travelers must pay a 4 percent surcharge each night based on the room rate.

Italy

Tourist taxes in Italy vary depending on where you are.in SicilyPrices range from 1 to 3 euros per night.

Meanwhile, prices in Rome range from 3 to 7 euros per night depending on room type, with some smaller cities charging more.

Japan

in Japan It comes in the form of an exit tax. Visitors to Japan pay 1,000 yen (approximately 8 euros) upon departure.

The official tourism website claims this small tax will make a “huge difference” to the economy.

Malaysia

Tourism tax in Malaysia is a fixed amount and is applied per stay.

It costs about 4 euros per night.

new zealand

There are many tourists, people on working holidays, and many students and workers. new zealand The International Visitor Protection Tourism Tax (IVL) must be paid on arrival.

However, Australian nationals are exempt.

It's 35 New Zealand dollars, so about 21 euros.

Netherlands

The Netherlands has a land tourism tax and a water tourism tax.

in Amsterdam, which currently equates to 7% of the cost of a hotel room. It is called “Toristenbelasting”.

In 2024, it will rise to 12.5%, making it the highest tourism tax in Europe. It applies equally to cruise passengers and overnight guests.

Portugal

Portugal's low tourist tax is paid per person per night and only applies to guests aged 13 and over.

The fee is approximately 2 euros and is currently applied in 13 of Portugal's 308 municipalities, including the city of Porto. lisbon And farro.

You only need to pay for the first 7 days of your stay.

Slovenia

The tourist tax is Slovenia Depends on location and hotel rating.

In larger cities and resorts such as Ljubljana and Bled it is slightly more expensive, around 3 euros.

Spain

If you go to Ibiza or Mallorca, you will need to pay a tourist tax.

The Sustainable Tourism Tax applies to holiday accommodation for the following days: SpainThe Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) also apply to travelers aged 16 and over.

During high season, taxes can reach up to 4 euros per night.

Meanwhile, Valencia has scrapped plans to introduce a tourist tax in 2024 following last year's general election.

Switzerland

The tourist tax is Switzerland It depends on the location. The price is approximately 2.20 euros per person per night.

Tourist taxes are usually not included in the accommodation price quote. The tourist tax is specified as a separate amount, making it easier to understand.

And it only applies to stays of less than 40 days.

united states of america

Accommodation tax or lodging tax Traveler In most areas of the United States, there is a fee to rent accommodation. Also called occupancy tax.

Rates apply at hotels, motels, and inns. The highest rates are reportedly paid in Houston, where he is subject to a 17% tax on hotel bills.