If you're planning on going away on holiday this summer, you could be forced to fork out an extra charge on top of your accommodation and flights.
Many popular destinations, including Spain, Greece, Italy and the USA, have started implementing a 'tourist tax' in order to boost local economies and crack down on over-tourism, especially in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.
This is typically added on to your accommodation bill, and the amount varies from place to place. Several common European destinations, as well as Japan, Indonesia and the Caribbean, all require tourists to pay an extra sum of money whilst holidaying there.
So if you are planning to book a getaway this year, it's worth keeping in mind that the cost could be a little higher depending on where you are going.
Conde Nast Traveller has put together a list of 22 countries that you could face paying a tourist tax this year. The amount changes frequently, so these figures should only be used as a rough guide, and make sure to check with your accommodation how much you'll need to pay before booking.
Countries that charge a tourist tax in 2024
Austria
The capital city of Austria, Vienna, requires visitors to pay a tourist tax. This usually works out at around 3.2 percent of the cost of your accommodation, and is typically already included in the price of the room.
Belgium
In the Brussels-Capital region, there are two types of tourist tax - one for hotels and one for "domestic" accommodations such as bed and breakfasts or campsites.
At the moment, the first type is taxed nightly at €4 (£3.43) and the second at €3 (£2.57), including minor additional fees. This will be added to your accommodation bill, and varies from city to city.
Bhutan
Since September 2023, Bhutan has charged adult tourists a Daily Sustainable Development Fee working out at £78 - the most expensive tourist tax in the world.
The money is used to help preserve the country's natural beauty and to protect the traditional Buddhist culture.
Bulgaria
Tourist tax in Bulgaria varies on destination and hotel standard, but it is usually below £1.30.
Caribbean Islands
Most of the Caribbean Islands impose a tourist tax, but the price varies depending on where you are staying.
For example, St Lucia charges between £2.38 and £4.75 per day, whereas in the Dominican Republic, tourists are charged £7.92.
Croatia
The tourist tax rate of Croatia depends on where you're staying, but the guide prices range from around 20p to 70p per day.
Czech Republic
In the capital city of Prague, tourist tax typically costs around CZK 50 per night (around £1.71), which is a flat fee applied to your first 60 days in the city.
France
The amount of tourist tax you'll pay in France varies depending on the region and type of accommodation that you're staying in.
The rates range from 17p to around £3.43 per person, per night. However, in anticipation of the Paris Olympics this year, certain hotel rooms have increased by up to 200 percent.
Depending on the accommodation type, the fee ranges from 65p to £12.87 per night.
Germany
Germany's tourist tax rates vary from city to city. For example, in Berlin, the standard tourist tax is five per cent of the accommodation price, excluding VAT.
People who are travelling for business are exempt from paying this tourist tax.
Greece
The price you'll pay in Greece depends on the standard and size of your accommodation. It shouldn’t be more than £3.45 per night during the low season, but could reach up to £8.60 during peak times.
Hungary
Travellers should expect to pay four per cent of the cost of accommodation per night in Budapest, which is the only Hungarian city that imposes a tourist tax.
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Indonesia
Regardless of age, people travelling to Bali must pay a levy of £7.60 when entering the country, one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.
This change only came into force this year, kicking off on Wednesday February 14 2024.
Italy
Generally, the rate of tourist tax in Italy ranges from 86p to £4.29 per day for each person, with a slightly higher maximum fee of £5.15 in Rome. Venice will begin charging day-trippers £4.30 for each day, beginning on April 25.
Japan
Visitors to Japan should expect to pay a departure fee of 1,000 yen - which is around £5.23 - in order to expand and enhance the country's tourist infrastructure.
Malaysia
As of January 1 2023, tourists in Malaysia are charged a flat rate of £1.68 per night across the whole of the country.
New Zealand
Travellers visiting New Zealand have to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) which costs $35 NZD (£16.80)
This money is used to improve infrastructure and sustainability projects in the country's touristic attractions.
Portugal
13 cities across Portugal currently charge a tourist tax, including popular hotspots Lisbon, Faro and Porto.
It works out at £1.75 per night, and you only have to pay it for the first seven days of your stay.
The Netherlands
Amsterdam is Europe’s most expensive places for tourist tax. Currently the rate states at 12.5 per cent of accommodation price plus a flat rate of €3 (£2.61) per person per night.
Switzerland
The price of tourist tax here varies depending on the destination, and it ranges from about CHF 2 (£1.81) to CHF 7 (£6.34) per person per night.
Slovenia
Tourist tax rates in Slovenia vary depending on where you are staying, but it tends to be more expensive in cities compared to more rural areas.
In Ljubljana, for example, it's around £2.68 per night.
Spain
Many Spanish cities have recently decided to raise the price of tourist tax, with other cities currently in discussion about following suit.
In Barcelona, the fee is €3.25 (£2.79), whereas in the Balearic Islands the fee is between €1-2 (87p - ) per day during peak holiday season depending on the star rating of their hotel.
USA
When travelling to the USA from the UK, visitors need to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), which is a type of visa allowing travellers to stay in the country for up to 90 stays.
It's valid for two years, and costs $21 (about £17).
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