The cost of going abroad is, for many, what you make of it.
You might opt to do the budget family option in a caravan by the sea, picking out somewhere on the Mediterranean where who you’re with matters more than everything else.
On the flip side, it could well be time to embrace luxury and head to that five star resort with fancy cocktails whenever you like.
Either way, budgets are specific to whoever is booking an excursion.
But one thing we can’t control is the cash demanded from us to head to a destination; something that is expanding across the world.
Yes, that sound you can hear is the footsteps of the dreaded tourism tax ready up to your costs across some of the world’s destinations loved by Brits.
In total, nine destinations across the globe have introduced tourism taxes this year. And if you’re heading to them this summer? Bad luck. It’s time to cough up.
Here’s the breakdown:
Venice, Italy
Grand Canal in Venice (Getty Stock Images)One of the most recognisable and popular destinations in the world, Brits are among a very big crowd when it comes to trips to the canal city.
But its popularity has produced overcrowding. And something had to be done to control crowds, with the tourist tax aiming to do just that.
Currently a trial is under way where visitors have to pay €5 (£4.26) to get in to the city. It’s between the hours of 8.30am and 4pm, so an evening trip from mainland Italy for a meal means you aren’t having to pay the charge.
The cash from the system will be put back in to the Venetian infrastructure.
Barcelona, Spain
View over Barcelona (Getty Stock Images)Home to one of the world’s greatest and most famous football teams, Barcelona is loved by so many every year.
For visitors to Barcelona, the tourism tax has existed since 2012.
But 1 April this year, it went up from €2.75 (£2.35) to €3.25 (£2.77) every day.
You pay this through your hotel, so if you’re heading in for the day from somewhere nearby before leaving, you will avoid the charge.
As with Venice, the cash goes back in to local spending.
Greece
Beach and fishing village of Firapotamos on Milos island, Greece (Getty Stock Images)It’s a nationwide policy for Greece meaning everyone will have to pay up for visiting the country.
The Greek government has brought in the charge as a ‘climate crisis resilience fee’.
In actual fact, it’s just replaced a previous hotel tax policy that was in place.
The charge could be up to €10 (£8.53) a night in peak months. For the low season, it is capped at €4 (£3.41).
Check with your hotel for the rates locally.
Bali, Indonesia
Stunning views on Bali (Getty Stock Images)One of the most stunning destinations for those who fancy an excursion to South East Asia, Bali is a backpackers paradise.
But costs are rising here too and for a similar reason to the one Greece has referenced.
It’s about ‘protecting culture and nature’, the government says.
If you’re heading there now, it’ll cost you a fee of IDR 150,000, which is roughly £7.50. You can pay this at Bali Airport or via the Love Bali app, where a fee will be added on top.
Iceland
Northern lights from Iceland (Getty Stock Images)Home to Europe’s best beach, Iceland is booming in popularity.
After temporarily stopping its tourist taxes during the Covid pandemic years, they returned from the start of 2024.
Hotels are charging ISK 600 (£3.46), campsites ISK 300 (£1.73), and cruise ships stopping off at the island ISK 1,000 (£5.76).
Paris, France
Paris skyline with Eiffel Tower at sunset (Getty Stock Images)Tourism tax is nothing new to France.
But with the Olympics coming to Paris in the summer of 2024, the fees are being upped significantly so.
We’re talking about 200% more to stay in the capital.
It’s a daily rate in Paris and ranges from 75 cent (64 pence) to €15 (£12.79).
On top of it just generally being more expensive to be in the city this summer due to the Olympics expect a trip to the city to be somewhat higher than you might expect in usual months.
Olhao, Portugal
Paradise in the south of Portugal called Ilha da Armona, Olhão (Getty Stock Images)Situated on the very popular Algarve, the somewhat small town of Olhao has brought in a daily charge.
It’s in place between April and October every year, with it cut in half during the other months.
It means tourists have to pay a tax of €2 (£1.71) a night, capped at a total of five nights.
Valencia, Spain
Valencia views (Getty Stock Images)Loved by Brits, the Spanish city of Valencia is reported to be home to the world’s cheapest beer.
But that cheap beer now comes with an added fee.
If you’re visiting the city and staying in a hotel, apartment, or campsite, you’ll have to pay between 50 cent (43 pence) and €2 (£1.71).
Cash will go towards supporting affordable housing in the city region.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bloemgracht canal in Amsterdam (Getty Stock Images)Like Paris, a tourist tax is not a new phenomenon.
The policy – dubbed toeristenbelasting – is going up from seven per cent of the cost of a hotel room to 12.5 per cent.
So if your room costs £100 a night, expect to pay another £12.50 on top.