What to know as European destinations increase tourism taxes

Travel Journalist Loren Christie explains how changes to tourism rules in Europe may impact travel for Canadians this summer.

Canadians planning on taking a trip to Europe this year should be aware of increasing tourist taxes that have been implemented in many popular destinations looking to combat overcrowding, an expert says.

In Italy, one of Europe’s most visited countries during the summer months, a so-called “city tax” is now charged to overnight tourists across dozens of destinations.

“A lot of people are interested in Italy,” travel journalist Loren Christie told CTV Your Morning on Thursday.

“The city tax there for this year if you’re going to any major destination like Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, you name it … they are increasing their city taxes anywhere from one euro to 10 euros per night, per person.”

Christie said the amount charged is based on the destination and level of accommodation, with the most expensive fees being charged by luxury hotels in the most popular tourist markets.

“That is there just to help with infrastructure issues and overcrowding, but when you think about a family going to Italy for a week or two weeks, that starts to add up,” he said.

Other European countries including France, Spain, Germany and Portugal have implemented similar city tax schemes for visiting tourists in their most popular destinations.

Most hotels will apply the fees directly to the credit card that tourists book with, Christie said. However, many short-term rental hosts using platforms like Airbnb will expect the tax to be paid in cash to them upon arrival, he noted.

Charges for landmarks

Tourists are also increasingly being charged to visit certain popular landmarks, he noted.

“It’s not just destinations, certain attractions like (Rome’s) Trevi Fountain, that’s two euros now, and there’s Juliet’s balcony,” Christie explained, referring to the new five- to 12-euro fee being charged to visit the Verona, Italy, landmark said to have inspired Shakespeare’s famous character.

“The Venice day tripping fee, which was instituted last year, is still five euros … so the fees are adding up. If you’re going to Italy for a couple weeks, it starts to become expensive.”

Christie noted that tourists should also be aware of incoming pre-screening travel rules that are expected to be rolled out by the end of this year.

Similar to the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system now in effect for Canadian travellers visiting the U.K., tourists headed to Europe will soon need to obtain a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

“By the end of this year, you’re going to have to, before you go, apply for an ETIAS,” Christie said.

“It’s a seven euro fee. It will be valid for three years and multiple entries, so it’s not massive, and it will be automatically tied to your passport.”