More than 60 destinations around the world have implemented some form of a tourist tax, and that number is only expected to increase. These fees are used to boost revenue for tourism promotion efforts, fund infrastructure improvements, and in a growing number of cases, combat the effects of overtourism by discouraging casual visitors to destinations experiencing a surge in demand, like Amsterdam or Venice. In 2024, one country announced that it would be nearly tripling its tourist tax — find out why and discover all the details below.
Why It Will Soon Cost More To Visit New Zealand
In 2023, more than 300,000 American travelers visited the South Pacific island nation of New Zealand. They went to considerable lengths to get there, as flight times from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Auckland are around 13 hours. But it’s easy to see why it’s so popular: With a landscape that contains volcanoes, fjords, and lush rainforests, visitors have ample opportunities to embark on nature adventures throughout the country. From cosmopolitan cities such as Auckland to adventure sports in Queenstown to Marlborough wine country, the real-life Hobbiton, and the otherworldly Waitomo glowworm caves, there’s plenty to do and see once there.
On October 1, New Zealand increased its tourist tax — called the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) — from $35 (about $21 USD at time of publication) to $100 (about $60 USD). International visitors will pay this flat rate when they apply for a tourist visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which is required for citizens of visa-waiver countries such as the United States.
“International tourism also comes with costs to local communities, including additional pressure on regional infrastructure and higher upkeep and maintenance costs across our conservation estate,” explained Matt Doocey, New Zealand’s minister for hospitality and tourism, in a statement. “Increasing the IVL means we can continue to grow international tourism to support economic growth while ensuring international visitors contribute to high-value conservation areas and projects, such as supporting biodiversity in national parks and other highly visited areas and improving visitor experiences on public conservation land.”
While no one likes to pay more in taxes, it certainly helps that this one will go to conservation efforts in one of the world’s greenest countries. With a nationwide initiative to reach net zero in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, New Zealand maintains a steady commitment to sustainability.
Other Destinations With Tourist Taxes
New Zealand is far from the only destination charging a tourist tax these days. Many charge a flat rate with a visa application like New Zealand, while others — including Iceland and Greece — impose a per-night charge added to your hotel bill. Meanwhile, tourists arriving by air in Thailand will find a 300 baht (about $8.50 USD) fee built into their ticket as of 2024, while those in Japan are required to pay a departure tax of 1,000 yen (about $7 USD).
Other cities impose so-called “day tripper” tariffs to boost revenue and buffer the effects of mass tourism. Few places have suffered as much from overtourism as Venice, the famed Italian city of canals. Since 2011, Venice has charged overnight visitors tax on the first five nights of their stay (between 1 and 5 euros per person a night). But starting in spring 2024, day visitors also pay a 5 euro access fee to enter the city.
Amsterdam, another tourism hot spot, now has the highest tourist tax in Europe. Taxes on room rates have increased from 7% to 12%, and in 2024, the fee for “day trippers” for sea and river cruise passengers who disembark in Amsterdam increased from 8 euros to 14 euros per person.
Featured image credit: Martin Vlnas/ iStock via Getty Images Plus
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