The travel insurance company Quotezone.co.uk has highlighted the importance of researching destinations before going on holiday as more popular places impose tourist taxes.
As the cost of living continues to rise, many holiday destinations across Europe have increased their tax rates imposed on tourists, with some adding an entry fee for those who are not residents of the city.
Tiffany Mealiff, travel insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk, stated that these taxes often go towards funding infrastructure and preventing areas from getting too crowded.
She explained: “The new and increasing tourist fees across Europe allow cities to fund measures to attract more holidaymakers, support the local infrastructure and businesses, as well as preventing damages from overtourism.
“If you’re taking a trip to any city in Europe this year, you must be aware of the potential additional costs to your holiday – which are often not obvious beforehand and normally due for payment when you check out of your accommodation.”
Venice
In particular, Quotezone.co.uk noted that Venice has announced plans to charge tourists for entering the old part of the city during daytime hours.
Whilst the fee will not officially come into force until 2025, visitors currently need to pay €5 (£4.30) if they enter between 8:30am and 4pm.
Nevertheless, this fee is only for those heading into Venice for the day, but overnight visitors will instead be charged between €1 (70p) and €5 (£4.30) per night, depending on where they stay.
In addition, a number of other European cities have increased their tourist tax rates for visitors staying in official hotels.
Paris
One of the most popular destinations affected by the tax hike is Paris, with tourists now charged from around €0.65 (56p) to stay at a two-star campsite to a staggering €14.95 (£13) for a palace.
Typically, the tax rate is designed to be around five percent of the overall cost of staying in different kinds of accommodation.
Manchester
However, Quotezone.co.uk warned that travellers do not need to go abroad to face rising tourism taxes, with Manchester also increasing their rate.
In a bid to raise funds to develop attractions, Manchester has begun charging visitors a £1 fee for each night they stay at one of 73 hotels throughout the city.
Since the tax was first imposed in April 2023, it is claimed that Manchester has raised more than £2million, which is being spent on street cleaning and marketing.
