As we head into 2023, travel is becoming more popular and destinations around the world are slowly recovering to their best, but there are some small changes to be aware of.
The following 15 countries will charge tourists additional travel fees, including Canadians. Friends with travel plans, please pay attention!
01 Caribbean Islands
Source: tripsavvy
Many Caribbean islands have added a tourist tax to the cost of hotel rooms, which tourists must pay upon departure. Countries that charge tourists include Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
Some countries also require visitors to purchase a tourist card. Fees and requirements vary from country to country, ranging from $12 CAD to $36 CAD, so check each country's travel website before you start your trip.
02 European Union
Source: INS@Visit Luxembourg
The EU will implement a new visa-free regime that will charge entry fees to travelers from selected countries.
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will allow the EU to track visitors from who do not require a visa to enter Europe, costing €7 (about $10 CAD) per application. The fee will apply to every visitor over the age of 18 and is used in countries such as Luxembourg, Austria, Belgium, Slovenia, Iceland, and Sweden.
03 France
Source: INS@imad_mouawad
France also imposes a tourist tax or "taxe de séjour", which is levied on tourists by hotels during their stay in France. Prices vary depending on the type of accommodation and range from €0.20 to €4.20 (CAD 0.29-$6.09) per night. According to Explore France, the tax is mainly used to finance "tourist activities and the modernization of tourist spaces."
04 Germany
Source: CNN
Some German cities charge a "culture tax" or "bed tax", which applies to the cost of the tourist's accommodation and is about 5% of the cost of the tourist's stay. The tax applies to cities such as Hamburg, Berlin and Cologne.
05 Greece
Source: TravelandLeisure
According to EasyJet, visitors to Greece will have to pay a tourist tax, depending on the type of accommodation and the official rating and length of stay. The tax ranges from €0.5 ($0.72 CAD) for one-star accommodation to €4 (CAD 5.80) for five-star accommodation and is charged per room per night.
06 Indonesia
Source: indonesia.trave
Visitors to Bali, a popular tourist destination, are now mandatory to pay a tourist tax. Overseas visitors to Indonesia province must pay fees starting from IDR 146,517, which is about 13 Canadian dollars. The Jakarta Post said the money would be used to protect the environment and Bali's culture.
07 Italy
Source: CNN
Some Italian cities charge tourists a tourist tax, the amount and type depending on the region. The amount applicable to accommodation fees also varies depending on the class of your stay, the more stars you have, the more you need to pay. According to travel agency ExpertoItaly, in Rome, taxes for three to five-star hotels range from 4 to 7 euros.
Also, since January 16, people traveling to Venice for a day trip must buy a ticket to enter, which costs between 3 and 10 euros, depending on how busy the day is.
08 Japan
Source: state.gov
International visitors departing from Japan must pay a departure tax of 1,000 yen (approximately 10.42 Canadian dollars). However, transit passengers and passengers under the age of 2 who leave the country within 24 hours of entry are exempt.
09 Mexico
Source: Fodors
Quintana Roo, Mexico's most popular tourist area, with popular attractions such as Cancun, Cozumel, and Isla Mujeres, will impose a tourism tax on all foreign visitors, including Canadians. The tax is MXN 224 per person, which is about 16 Canadian dollars.
10 Netherlands
Source: tripsavvy
Tourists visiting the Netherlands must pay a tourist tax, which is divided into two types: the land tourism tax, which is used for accommodation such as hotels and bed and breakfasts; Water tourism tax, for onboard accommodation. The local government said the tax was included in the price of accommodation.
Tax rates vary from city to city, such as in Amsterdam, where the tax rate is 7% of the accommodation price, plus a flat rate of €3 (US$4.35) per person per night.
11 New Zealand
Source: NatureConservancy-H. Assetsadobe
Canadians visiting New Zealand must pay the International Visitor Protection and Tourism Tax (IVL). Canadian visitors can use an electronic travel permit to travel to New Zealand visa-free. IVL costs NZ$35 (about $29.95 CAD) and is used by visitors for the maintenance of the facilities and natural environment used by visitors during their stay.
12 Portugal
Source: TravellersWorldwide
Portugal is one of the countries included in the ETIAS, which means that a trip to the country costs around $10 CAD. Portugal also charges a tourist tax of around €2 (about $2.90 CAD) per night for the first 7 days of travelers' stay, which only applies to visitors aged 13 and over.
13 Spain
Source: state.gov
In some cities in Spain, tourists are required to pay the tourist tax attached to the price of accommodation.
As with other destinations, taxes vary depending on the type of accommodation. In Barcelona, for example, travelers can expect to pay €3.45 (CAD 5) for a four-star hotel and €5.25 (CAD 7.61) for a five-star hotel. The same tax applies to cities such as Ibiza, Mallorca and Formentera.
14 Switzerland
Source: Expatica
According to Euronews, visitors to Switzerland must pay a tourist tax, which is added to the cost of accommodation and is levied on a per-person per night. Depending on the accommodation category, amounts range from CHF 0.5 (CAD 0.72) to CHF 6.50 (CAD 9.40), although a flat rate may apply in some regions.
15 Thailand
Source: data.asiahighlights
Thailand plans to levy a tourism tax of 300 baht (about 12.16 Canadian dollars) to help develop tourist destinations and provide insurance for tourists. According to Reuters, the new fee will be included in the ticket price.