Thailand and many other countries began charging tourists a fee in 2023.

Thailand began charging a tourism fee in June.

According to Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, the cabinet approved on February 14th a policy to charge international tourists an entry fee of 150 baht (approximately 100,000 VND) and 300 baht (approximately 200,000 VND) respectively, starting in June, except for one-day visitors.

Specifically, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn stated that the fee applied to visitors arriving in Thailand by air is 300 baht and 150 baht for those arriving by sea or land.

On February 16th, Ms. Traisuree Taisaranakul, Deputy Spokesperson for the Government, also stated 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 of age, day visitors, transit passengers, or those falling under other categories as classified by the National Tourism Board.

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

In 2022, the government stated that this fee would be added to the airfare, while the method of entry by land remained undecided.

Spain

The Barcelona city authorities in Spain have announced an increase in the tourist tax for the years 2023 and 2024. From April 1st, 2023, tourists will be charged a tourist tax of 2.75 euros. From April 1st, 2024, this fee will increase to 3.25 euros. The tax applies to tourists staying in officially licensed tourist accommodations.

Barcelona officials said the revenue would 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 be implementing a tourist tax for visitors staying in all types of accommodation, including hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and campsites. This policy will take effect at the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024. Tourists will have to pay between 50 cents and 2 euros per night, depending on the type of accommodation they choose, for a maximum of 7 nights.

Authorities say the fee will help the region's tourism industry develop sustainably. The tax revenue will also be used to build affordable housing for local residents in popular tourist destinations.

Venice

Starting in the summer of 2023, tourists will pay a fee to visit Venice. The newspaper La Stampa reports that authorities have proposed several measures to control the number of tourists, such as building an online booking system. However, more measures are needed to limit the number of tourists, including charging an entrance fee to the city.

The tourist tax will range from 3 euros to 10 euros, depending on whether it is the off-peak or peak tourist season.

European Union (EU)

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

Those under 18 and over 70 years old will not have to pay this fee.

Shirt

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

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

Belgium

A tourist tax in Belgium also applies to accommodation, based on the number of nights you stay. The fee is sometimes included in the hotel room price, but in other cases it's a separate charge, considered an additional fee. Therefore, you need to check your bill carefully.

In Antwerp and Bruges, you'll be charged a tax per room. In Brussels, however, it varies depending on the size and rating of the hotel. This fee is approximately 7.50 euros.

Bhutan

While most tourist fees in other countries are under 20 euros, taxes in Bhutan are exorbitant. The minimum daily fee for most foreigners is $250 (approximately 228 euros) per person per day during peak season and slightly less during off-peak season. However, this tax covers many services such as accommodation, domestic transportation, 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 1.5 euros.

Caribbean Islands

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

Croatia

Croatia increased the 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 a tourist fee in the Czech Republic when visiting the capital, Prague. This fee is less than 1 euro per person per night, for a maximum of 60 nights. The fee does not apply to children under 18 years old.

Virtue

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

Greece

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

Hungary

The tourist fee in Hungary only applies when tourists stay in the capital, Budapest. Tourists have to pay an additional 4% per night based on their room rate.

Indonesia

The tourism tax in Indonesia only applies to tourists visiting Bali. In 2019, a new law stipulated that foreign visitors to the island must pay a fee of 9 euros. Revenue from the tax is allocated to programs that help preserve Bali's environment and culture.

Japan

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

Malaysia

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

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao