'I'll stop going!' Britons hit back and vow to ditch Portugal as it increases tourist tax

Tourist taxes are used towards the general upkeep of the area. Last week, the municipality of Oeiras, near Lisbon, rolled out a new tax.

Anyone who stays overnight - in a hotel or in other accommodations - will be charged €1 (around 85p) per person per night.

The council explained the new fee has been brought in in line with similar taxes in the country and will "ensure a counterpart for the enjoyment of a set of activities and investments promoted by the municipality of Oeiras, related to tourism".

This comes as Lisbon approved proposals to double the tourist tax, which will start next month.

Tourists in the city will now need to pay €4 (£3.40) per person per night, up from €2 (£1.70). Taxes for those arriving by cruise will double from €1 to €2.

Those visiting parts of Portugal's popular Algarve region have also been hit with increased tourist taxes of €2 per night per person during the high season (between April and October) and €1 during the low season (between November and March).

However, GB News readers have hit back at the price hikes and vow to boycott Portugal amid the high charges.

One suggested visiting other parts of Europe instead. They wrote: "Just don’t go - simple. They, like Spain, need tourism.

"Their businesses will go out of action, their restaurants will close…their income will fall drastically. Greece, Malta and Cyprus need our money and they are wonderful countries."

Another added: "Just stop going to these countries, they clearly don't want your money - see, problem solved."

One more shared a similar sentiment but added they are not against tourist tax. They penned: "What will happen if people stop holidaying in these places? I wouldn't have a problem paying it as long as the money goes where they say it is going."

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A fourth claimed: "Don’t go to the EU countries, they have treated us poorly since 2016." Another who is planning to visit the country by cruise said the fee would put them off spending money during their trip.

They said: "[I'm] on a cruise in October calling at Lisbon. If I have to pay the tax I will, but I will not spend a single penny in Lisbon. For coffee, drinks, lunch etc I shall simply return to the ship.

"Shopping will be kept for a port that does not charge the tourist tax. They will lose out on a lot of business but if that is what they want."

This comes as Britons said they will turn their back on Spain amid a string of anti-tourist protests across the country.