Italy considers hiking tourist tax to £21-a-night in major blow to holidaymakers
Tourists visiting Italy could soon see their taxes increase
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The Italian Government is in talks over introducing a tourist tax of £21-a-night to raise funds for financially disadvantaged cities.
The move, which has yet to be approved, would represent a sharp increase on taxes paid by foreigners entering Italy in recent years.
The government proposal was made in a bid to help cash-strapped cities increase revenues and crack down on tourism.
Authorities believe the levy would help make visitors “more responsible” amid growing backlash against the overtourism.
Tourists visiting Italy could soon see their taxes increase
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Federalberghi, an association representing small and medium sized hotels, said in a statement that “the common objective must be to support growth, not slow it down.”
Marina Lalli, of Federturismo, told local news outlets that cities were using money from taxes to fil budget gaps “illegally”.
She added: “When you go and fix your streets that are full of holes - and you pay with money you collect from tourist tax - is this really for tourists, or is this a normal, ordinary thing that you should do in your city?”
Under current laws, cities are required to put funds raised through tourism taxes towards things associated with foreign visitors.
This would typically include the maintenance of tourist sites or the protection of natural habitats, for example.
Barbara Casillo, director of Confindustria Alberghi, warned that other European destinations would see their tourism sector grow exponentially if lawmakers in Italy “scare travellers” with high taxes.
She told Italian media: “If we scare travellers who come to us by giving the impression hat we want to take what we can, we are not doing a good service to the country. We must be very careful."
The debate comes as public backlash against overtourism has skyrocketed in recent months.
Protests have erupted in holiday hotspots like Majorca, where locals have gathered in their hundreds to demand the end of mass tourism.
Responding to the anti-tourism sentiment in Spain, one GB News reader said: “I remember how they were begging people to come back during Covid, how poor they were, how they couldn’t survive without tourists.
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Bari Italy is a great destination for travellers on a budget GETTY“May having it quiet put them off once the tourists did return."
“Just cross Spain off the destinations list. There are many other countries where tourists are more than welcome. Let them eat cake!”
Cruise passengers in Barcelona are set to be hit by a "substantial" tax hike reserved for passengers who enter the city for less than 12 hours.
The visitors could be asked to pay more than the current €7 a day, local authorities announced.