Where are the new tourist taxes being introduced in 2023?
Many countries have moved on from the pandemic and are now facing old challenges, such as managing overtourism, reducing emissions, funding new travel projects, and promoting sustainable cities. To address these issues, politicians around the world are turning to a universal solution: introducing new tourist taxes.
Here’s a look at where travelers will be required to pay such taxes this year, including what they’ll be charged for, when the taxes will take effect, and how much they’ll have to pay.
Turkey
Starting January 1, Turkey has introduced a new tourist tax on accommodation. All guests staying in hotels, tourist villages, campsites, and other accommodations (excluding students and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations) are required to pay this tax. The tax, which is 2% of the total amount of the reservation, will be added to the cost of the booking regardless of the services provided.
Venice, Italy
The implementation of the tourist tax in Venice, which was originally scheduled for last year, has been postponed until the summer of 2023. The plan is for visitors to pay a fee ranging from €3 to €10 depending on the length of their stay and the season. During high season, the fee will be higher, while during off-peak season, it will be lower. The collection method for the tax is not yet clear, but it’s expected to be included in transportation tickets.
Riga, Latvia
A new tourist tax has been implemented in Riga since the beginning of the year, also for accommodation purposes. Although it was formally introduced for hotels, hostels, and apartments, tourists are required to pay the fee. For every night of stay, a fee of €1 must be paid, which is already included in the cost of the accommodation. However, after ten days of stay, the tax no longer needs to be paid. It is important to note that children under 18 are exempt from this fee.
Barcelona, Spain
The authorities of Barcelona have recently unveiled a plan to increase tourist taxes for the next two years. Currently, tourists are charged €4, which includes €2.25 for the regional budget and €1.75 for the city budget. However, the city wants to add an additional €1.5 to the fee. Starting in April of this year, the city tax will increase to €2.75 and in April of next year, it will further increase to €3.25. This means that by 2024, tourists staying in hotels, hostels, Airbnb, and other accommodations will have to pay an additional €5.50. City officials have stated that the tax was introduced to attract quality travelers and to address issues of overtourism.
Valencia, Spain
Valencia is set to join the list of cities introducing a new tourist tax, with the fee expected to be introduced later this year (though a specific date has not been announced). The tax will only be applicable to travelers staying in hotels, hostels, and apartments. Unlike the proposed tax in Barcelona, the fee will be much lower, ranging from €0.50 to €2 per night depending on the chosen accommodation.
Seychelles
The Seychelles are planning to finance new environmental initiatives through a new tax on tourists who stay in hotels. The fee will vary according to the number of rooms in the hotel, with a minimum of 25 rupees (about €2) per night and a maximum of 100 rupees (about €7) per night. This tax will not be included in the reservation cost and will have to be paid directly on site.
Thailand
Thailand has recently announced that it will proceed with the implementation of a tourist tax starting from June 2023. Foreigners entering the country by plane will be charged an additional 300 baht (approximately € 8), while those who enter by land or through maritime checkpoints will be charged half the amount. The funds collected from this tax will be used for the development of tourist attractions, and part of it will be allocated for foreigner insurance coverage.