Many popular tourist destinations around the world will start charging entrance fees in 2022.

Thailand

Starting in April, Thailand will collect approximately 300 Thai baht (about 200,000 VND) from each tourist. This fee will be used to develop tourism and partially cover treatment costs for tourists whose medical expenses are not fully covered by insurance.

Thai officials said the amount would be included in the airfare, which already covers upfront payments for SARS-CoV-2 virus testing, accommodation, or hotel quarantine.

Venice (Italy)

From June 2022, the city of Venice plans to implement a tourist tax of 3-10 EUR (equivalent to 80,000-250,000 VND) per day, depending on the level of crowds in the city at that time. Residents, students, workers, and overnight guests are exempt from the tax.

Accordingly, visitors can tour for up to 7 consecutive days and only pay for 3 days. However, those 3 days will be the days with the highest tax rates; therefore, a week-long visit to Venice could incur a fee of 30 EUR during peak season.

Authorities said this measure aims to preserve the canal city's ecosystem while limiting the influx of tourists seen in pre-pandemic years. In addition to a tourism tax, electronic turnstiles will be installed at city entrances to control the number of people entering and exiting the city.

European Union

From the end of 2022, tourists visiting the European Union will have to pay an additional 7 EUR (approximately 190,000 VND) as part of a tourism tax. This regulation is part of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), a new measure aimed at "enhancing security and helping to prevent health-related threats to the Union".

This fee applies to individuals who are not permanent residents/do not require a visa to stay in a European Union country; this includes Americans, Australians, UK citizens, and tourists from outside the Schengen Area. Those under 18 or 70 years of age or older are exempt from this fee.

Mexico

In 2022, tourists visiting the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, including popular destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, were required to pay a tourist tax of $11 (approximately 250,000 VND). Tourists aged 15 and older could pay online at any time via the VISITAX website or at airport kiosks, provided it was before leaving Mexico.

To improve infrastructure and social services, the Mexican state of Baja California Sur – home to destinations like Los Cabos, La Paz, and Loreto – also implemented a tourism tax of approximately US$18.50 (over VND 400,000) starting in late 2019.

Maldives

From January 2022, the "paradise resort" Maldives implemented a new tax on all those wishing to leave the country, including local residents. The fee depends on the passenger's class of travel: economy class is $30 (680,000 VND), business class is $60 (1,300,000 VND), and first class is $90 (2,000,000 VND). Meanwhile, those leaving the Maldives by private jet will have to pay a tourism tax of $120 (2,700,000 VND).

In addition to the departure tax, passengers traveling from Velana International Airport to other destinations will also have to pay a $25 (VND 670,000) Airport Development Fee.

Bengaluru (India)

The Indian city of Bengaluru has just introduced new regulations on tourist fees, requiring passengers flying from Kempegowda International Airport to pay 350 INR (100,000 VND) for domestic flights and 1,200 INR (360,000 VND) for international flights, instead of the current 184 INR (55,000 VND) and 839 INR (250,000 VND) respectively.

This fee will be applied from April this year, lasting until the end of March 2023. The city government stated that this regulation was introduced to boost the airport's finances following the recent large-scale expansion project, and to contribute to the local economic recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Norway

Norway plans to reintroduce a passenger tax at airports in 2022, charging approximately VND 200,000 per person for flights departing to European destinations, or VND 560,000 per person for other flights.

Japan

Japan calls the tourist tax the "departure fee," collecting approximately 200,000 VND per visitor. This tax is used to expand and improve the country's tourism infrastructure.

Belize

Although not actually a tax, the Central American nation of Belize charges every visitor $18 (400,000 VND). This money is used to purchase insurance, with a maximum coverage of $50,000 for medical expenses related to Covid-19 treatment, along with $2,000 for quarantine and emergency support services.

An synthesis