Increasing Trend: More Countries Implementing Tourist Tax

Tourists and holidaymakers are often now accustomed to the notion of paying a tourist tax in many destinations across the world. Generally, the fee will be incorporated within your overall total cost, for instance in an airline ticket or during payment at hotels. Over the years, this has become a rising trend in the industry and more and more countries are beginning to introduce these rules.

The purpose of tourism tax is that the funds generated from the taxes can then be used to tackle tourism-related issues, as well as maintaining landscapes and counteracting any damage caused by over-tourism.

In Europe, the tourist tax differs dependent on the regulations in that country -Corp

In France, they collect a higher tax in places considered to be popular tourist centres such as Paris or Lyon.

In Germany, they have implemented what is known as the ” culture tax” and a “bed-tax” in the most popular and biggest cities which includes Berlin or Hamburg. The fee reaches 5 euros per person per day or represents 5 of a customer’s hotel cost.

In Italy, tourists have to pay a tax called Tassa di soggiorno. The charge varies in each city and depends on a hotel’s star rating and is levied on a set number of nights and there are usually exemptions for children. In Rome, for example, you can expect to pay €3-€7 which is approximately £2.62 -£6.11 per person per day for up to 10 days of your stay. Children under 10 are exempt from the tax.

Popular destinations in Spain have similar policies, the usual amount in peak season is around €4 per day per person. Although in November to May the tax drops by 50% after your ninth night on the island. The money raised from the ‘eco tax’ will go towards the protection of resources on the islands

In Asia, Japan was the latest country to adopt regulations, their “sayonara tax” began in January this year. The tax is to be paid by international visitors upon departure from the country. The funds are to support the development and infrastructure for the Olympics that will be held in Tokyo in 2020.

Other countries in Europe to have tourism tax in place includes: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Generally any form of tax is often not welcomed, however it’s easy to forget and appreciate that we are holidaying in other people’s homeland, the funds all in all, help fund and support your favourite destinations.