Thailand and many countries to charge foreign tourists in 2023

Thailand to start charging tourist fees from June

According to Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn - Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, on February 14, the country's cabinet approved the policy of charging entry fees for international tourists of 150 baht (about 100,000 VND) and 300 baht (about 200,000 VND), respectively, starting from June, except for one-day tourists.

Specifically, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the fee applied to visitors to Thailand by air is 300 baht and 150 baht for visitors traveling by water or road.

On February 16, Ms. Traisuree Taisaranakul - Deputy Government Spokesperson also said that Thailand will provide insurance for foreign tourists when the tourism fee policy takes effect in June.

The fees will not apply to holders of diplomatic or official passports, foreigners with work permits in Thailand, children under two years old, one-day tourists, transit passengers, or those in other cases as classified by the National Tourism Board.

Mr Phiphat said the authorities had long proposed an entry fee for foreign visitors, but its implementation was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Part of the cost would be used to fund the development of local tourist attractions.

In 2022, the government said the fee would be added to the price of air tickets, while the method of entry by land has yet to be determined.

Spain

The Spanish city of Barcelona has announced that it will increase its tourist tax in 2023 and 2024. From April 1, 2023, tourists will have to pay a tourist tax of 2.75 euros. From April 1, 2024, the fee will increase to 3.25 euros. The tax applies to visitors staying in official tourist accommodation.

Barcelona officials say the revenue will be used to build infrastructure for the city including road improvements, bus services and escalators.

Also in Spain, Valencia city officials announced that they will apply a tourist tax to visitors staying in all types of accommodation including hotels, guesthouses, apartments and campsites. This policy will take effect in late 2023 or early 2024. Tourists will have to pay between 50 cents and 2 euros per night depending on the type of accommodation they have chosen, for a maximum of 7 nights.

Authorities say the levy will help develop sustainable tourism in the area. The money raised will also be used to build affordable housing for locals in popular tourist destinations.

Venice

Tourists will pay a tourist fee to visit Venice starting in the summer of 2023. La Stampa newspaper reported that authorities have proposed some measures to control the number of tourists, such as creating an online booking system. However, more measures are needed to limit the number of tourists, including charging a fee to enter the city.

The tourist tax will range from 3 euros to 10 euros, depending on whether it is low or high season.

European Union (EU)

Starting in November 2023, non-EU citizens, including the US, Australia, the UK and countries outside the Schengen area, will need to fill out a visa application for 7 euros to enter the area.

People under 18 and over 70 will not have to pay this fee.

Shirt

In Austria, visitors must pay an overnight accommodation tax, the amount of which depends on the province you are staying in. If you are staying in Vienna or Salzburg, you will have to pay an additional 3.02% on your hotel bill per person.

The tourist tax in Austria is also known as Tourismusgesetz and Berherbergungsbeiträge.

Belgium

The tourist tax in Belgium also applies to accommodation, based on the number of nights you stay there. Sometimes the fee is included in the hotel room price, but in other cases it is included separately as an additional charge, so you need to check your bill carefully.

In Antwerp and Bruges, you will be charged a tax per room. In Brussels, it varies depending on the size and rating of the hotel. The fee is around 7.50 euros.

Bhutan

While most countries charge less than 20 euros for tourism, Bhutan’s is sky-high. The minimum daily fee for most foreigners is 250 dollars (about 228 euros) per person per day during peak season and slightly less during low season. However, this tax covers a wide range of services, including accommodation, in-country transport, guides, food and entrance fees.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria charges a tourist fee for overnight stays. This fee is usually low and varies depending on the region and hotel. It is around 1.50 euros.

Caribbean Islands

Most Caribbean islands have a tourist tax, which is added to the cost of a hotel stay or departure fee. Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the U.S. Virgin Islands all have some form of tourist tax. The fees range from 13 euros in the Bahamas to 45 euros in Antigua and Barbuda.

Croatia

Croatia increased its tourist tax in 2019. However, the tax only applies during the peak summer season. Tourists need to pay around 10 kuna (1.33 euros) per person per night.

Czech Republic

You only need to pay the Czech tourist fee when visiting the capital city of Prague. It costs just under 1 euro per person per night, for a maximum of 60 nights. The fee does not apply to children under 18.

Virtue

Germany imposes a “culture tax” and a “bed tax” in cities such as Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin. The fee is around 5% of the hotel bill.

Greece

The tourist tax in Greece is calculated based on the star rating of the hotel or the number of rooms you rent. It is estimated to cost around 4 euros per room. The Greek Ministry of Tourism proposed the tax to help reduce the country's public debt.

Hungary

The tourist fee in Hungary only applies when visitors are staying in the capital city of Budapest. Tourists pay an additional 4% per night on top of their room rate.

Indonesia

Indonesia's tourist tax only applies to tourists visiting Bali. In 2019, a new law required foreign visitors to the island to pay a 9 euro fee. The revenue from the tax is allocated to programs that help preserve Bali's environment and culture.

Japan

In Japan, tourist tax is charged as a departure tax. Visitors to Japan must pay 1,000 yen (about 8 euros) when they leave the country.

Malaysia

Malaysia's tourist tax is a fixed rate and is charged per night you stay. It does not exceed 4 euros per night.

Phuong Thao is the Editor of Travellive Magazine. She is passionate about traveling and loves to capture moments with her camera in every land she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are her favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao