As Bali Imposes Tourist Tax, Which Places Do You Pay To Holiday?

All across the world, countries have been implementing measures to combat the effects of overtourism on natural landscapes as well as on built heritage. UNESCO, the United Nations' cultural body, recently stated that Venice should be included in a list of endangered world heritage sites. as the city is at risk of "irreversible" harm from overtourism, overdevelopment, and increasing sea levels. Italy has said it will fine all unruly tourists. Austria's Hallstatt is protesting against mass tourism. Greece will limit the number of tourists visiting the Acropolis. Japan will restrict access to Mt Fuji. Another way that countries are trying to combat overtourism is through tourist taxes. Recently Bali in Indonesia introduced the International Tourism Levy in an effort to preserve the natural beauty of Bali's culture, traditions, and arts.

This is aimed at helping preserve and protect the island's distinctive cultural history while also supporting their commitment to sustainable tourism. International tourists visiting Bali will be charged a one-time tax of IDR 150,000 (USD 10) beginning February 14, 2024. Here's how it works. Tourists are advised to pay in advance using the Love Bali website or app. A tourism levy voucher will be emailed to travellers, who must retain it on their smartphones to scan at checkpoints at Bali International Airport and sea ports. Many countries are now levying a tourist tax. Here's a look at some.

Venice

Venice, the famed "City of Canals," is navigating its way through the challenges of mass tourism with a new set of regulations. Set to be implemented in June 2024, these measures focus on reclaiming and preserving the city's cultural heritage. These rules aim to manage the crowds, limiting tourist walking groups and silencing the echoes of loudspeakers in the historic centre and surrounding islands. According to the proposed rules, tourist groups with more than 25 people will face restrictions from entering the city. This action follows introducing a trial visitors' fee of €5 (INR 455) for day trippers to Venice, which will be in effect two months before implementing the new regulations. The fee is part of a comprehensive strategy addressing challenges associated with excessive tourism in the city. Read more here.

Barcelona

City officials had announced in 2022 that Barcelona's tourist tax will be raised during the next two years. Visitors to the Catalan capital have had to pay both the regional tourist tax and an additional city-wide levy since 2012. The fee was raised to €2.75 on April 1, 2023, by city authorities. A second increase will take place on April 1, 2024, when the cost will be raised to €3.25. Visitors staying in official tourist accommodations are subject to the charge. The funds, according to the council, would be utilised to upgrade the city's infrastructure, such as roads, bus services, and escalators.

Paris

This year, your vacation to the city of love is likely to become more expensive. The tax rise which went into effect on January 1 varies depending on the kind of accommodation. The biggest rise is for visitors staying in palace hotels, where they will have to pay a nightly fee of €14.95 ($16.38),  over the 2023 rate of €5 ($5.48). In a 5-star hotel, the nightly fee will be €10.73 ($11.75), compared to the 2023 rate of €3.75 ($4.11), while in a 4-star hotel, the nightly rate will be €8.13 ($8.91), compared to the 2023 rate of €2.88 ($3.15). Read more about tourist taxes in Paris here.

Valencia

The Valencian Tax on Tourist Stays (IVET) will go into force in 2024, but no specific date has been set. The country will levy a tourist tax on any sort of stay in the region, including hotels, hostels, apartments, and campgrounds. Get ready to pay between 50 cents and €2 each night for up to seven nights, depending on your chosen lodging. Passengers on cruise ships will pay €1.50 per day. The levy, according to officials, will go towards the long-term growth of the region's tourism industry. The proceeds will also be utilised to build more affordable accommodation for locals in tourist areas.