It seems like half of Australia is jetting off to Europe for a sizzling summer or heading to Japan for an epic ski season. After splashing out on flights, accommodation, tours and transportation, your wallets are likely feeling a bit lighter. We’re sorry to say, but another cost could be waiting for you when you touch down.
This year, international travel is set to rebound to its highest levels since 2019. While this sounds like a win-win for travellers and tourism operators, many cities, attractions and entire regions are struggling with overtourism. To tackle this problem, some of the world's most popular travel destinations are rolling out tourist taxes, which are often bundled into your airfare or added to your accommodation bill. These fees aim to help the destination regulate visitor numbers and upgrade local infrastructure for increased capacity.
Here are all the new and upcoming tourist taxes you need to be aware of in 2024.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam already holds the title for Europe's highest tourist tax and bumped this fee from seven to 12.5 per cent in 2024. This means travellers must now pay an average of €21.80 (~$35 AUD) per night and €11 for cruise passengers (~$18 AUD).
Bali, Indonesia
In February 2024, Bali made history by introducing Indonesia’s first tourist tax. The one-time fee is collected upon arrival at the airport, costing RP 150,000 (~$14 AUD).
Barcelona and Valencia, Spain
In April 2024, Barcelona raised its tourist tax from €2.75 to €3.25 (~$4-5 AUD) per night. This tax only applies for the first seven consecutive nights and is an additional charge to the regional Catalan tax.
The Valencian Community, including the provinces of Castellón, Valencia and Alicante, will soon introduce a Valencian Tax on Tourist Stays (IVET), ranging from 50 cents to €2 (~80 cents to $3 AUD) per night based on the accommodation type.
Bhutan
Bhutan has imposed a steep tourist tax ever since opening its doors to travellers in 1974. In 2022, the Himalayan kingdom raised fees to $200 USD per day, but that amount has since been dropped. In 2024, visiting adults will be charged $100 USD (~$150 AUD) per day, while children aged six to 12 will be charged half of that amount.
Iceland
In January 2024, Iceland introduced a tourist tax to protect its ‘unspoilt nature’. Travellers staying in hotels now face a fee of ISK 600 (~$6.50 AUD) per room, those at campsites and mobile homes pay ISK 300 (~$3 AUD), and cruise ship passengers are charged ISK 1,000 (~$11 AUD).
Manchester, UK
In 2023, Manchester became the first city in the UK to implement a tourist tax. Visitors staying at selected hotels in the city must pay £1 (~$2 AUD) per night per room.
Mount Fuji, Japan
Starting from July 2024, all climbers on the Mount Fuji Yoshida Trail must pay a 2,000 yen (~$19 AUD) entry fee. A new cap of 4,000 climbers per day will also be enforced during the peak season (July to September).
Olhão, Portugal
Portugal’s largest fishing port introduced a tourist tax in June 2023, charging visitors €2 (~$3 AUD) per night during the high season (April to October) and €1 (~$1.50 AUD) outside of peak times (November to March). This fee will be charged in addition to your accommodation costs, limited to a maximum of five nights.
Paris, France
Ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games, Paris raised its existing nightly tourist tax, which previously ranged from €1 to €5 (~$1.50-$8 AUD). The updated fee varies based on the accommodation type and the area of the city, with a night at a hostel charging an extra €2.60 (~$4 AUD) and a night at a palace costing an extra €14.95 (~$24 AUD).
Venice, Italy
In April 2024, Venice introduced a €5 ($8 AUD) tourist tax, specifically targeting day-trippers visiting the 'old city' (comprising the entire lagoon region) on select days during the peak season from April to July. This tax does not apply to travellers staying overnight in hotels within Venice.
The European Union
Next year, the European Union plans to roll out a tourist visa, requiring all non-EU citizens from outside the Schengen Area, including Australians, to complete a €7 (~$11.50 AUD) application for entry.
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