One of the most popular destinations in the world, Barcelona, has decided to hike its tourist tax fee once more. It had previously increased the said tax in April of the year to €3.25.
The latest increase will push it up to €4. The city council has decided to implement a 20% increase in the tax that will now go into effect in October of the year.
The increase
With this move, they will now be able to generate additional revenues of about €20 million.
The local media said that the regional tax depends on the type of accommodation that the tourist chooses to stay in.
For instance, the tourist tax for four star hotels is €1.70, while luxury hotels and five-star hotels have to pay a tourist tax of €3.50. Rental accommodation like Airbnb have to pay €2.25.
A tourist tax of €3 is applicable to cruise passengers in the region who stay for less than 12 hours. Meanwhile, the tax is reduced to €2 for tourists who stay for over 12 hours.
In addition to the regional tourist tax, visitors who come to Barcelona will have to pay an additional amount of €4 from October this year.
This would mean that they have to pay €0.75 more for every night.
Tourism fees
People who would stay in a five-star hotel would have to pay per night charges of €7.50 per night. The total charges for a week would rise to €52.50. The current weekly charges stand at €47.50.
This year has seen a number of countries raise traveler fees for dealing with the impact of tourism. Countries like Portugal and Portimao also announced a tourist tax that went into effect in March.
The amount of tax is different in the high and low season. From April to October, the tax would be about €2 per night, while from November to March, the tax would be about €1 per night.
Destinations
Venice is another popular city that decided to make a similar move. After debating for years, Venice has decided to charge an entrance fee.
After this decision, those who enter the city have to pay a fee of €5 for entering on peak days, weekends and other days between the months of April and July.
Another destination that has decided to impose an entry fee is none other than Austria. However, in this situation, the accommodation tax imposed is about 3% of every person’s hotel bill.
As far as Belgium is concerned, the tourist tax is applicable to accommodation. Generally, the amount of tax is €7.50.
Bulgaria is another country that charges a tourist tax on accommodation and the amount applicable is €1.50.
Croatia had also hiked up its tourist tax back in 2019, but the increased rate is only applicable during the summer season. Therefore, visitors are charged about €1.5 per night during this season.
An e-tax fee is also charged from tourists in France for their hotel bills. This fee is different for every city. There has been a 200% increase in tourist tax applicable to hotel rooms since January this year.
This is due to the upcoming 2024 Olympics. This could rise to as much as €15 per night.
