Top European Travel Spot Plans To Raise Tourist Tax

Amsterdam, one of Europe’s highly frequented destinations, is poised to raise its tourism tax in the coming year, aiming to secure the position of having the highest tourist taxes within the European Union.

The anticipated increase in the tourist tax, expected to be 12.5 percent, is projected to result in the collection of €65 million in tourism tax revenue for the next year. This hike serves a dual purpose: it will bolster government revenue while also helping maintain a less crowded, cleaner, and more peaceful city.

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In a research study conducted by VisaGuide.World, Amsterdam has been declared the top European capital destination for tourists in 2023, surpassing Rome, Paris, and London. Amsterdam has consistently prioritized sustainability and environmental concerns in its efforts to attract tourists. Several months ago, the city council took the step of prohibiting cruise ships from accessing the city center.

The proposal to ban cruise ships was championed by the Democrats 66 party, which governs alongside the social democratic PvdA and the GroenLinks environmentalists. According to a statement by the Democrats 66 party, the council contends that cruise ship vessels are incongruous with the city’s objectives of limiting tourism and promoting sustainability.

As a result of this ban, the central cruise terminal on the River IJ near Amsterdam’s main train station will close, serving as a deterrent to mass tourism in the city. The council has undertaken efforts to “cleanse” the city, including the prohibition of cannabis smoking in the streets of the red-light district.

In March, the city initiated an online campaign, urging young British men contemplating Amsterdam as a destination for their bachelor parties to reconsider their plans.

Amsterdam, renowned for its scenic canals, historic architecture, and cultural landmarks like the Anne Frank House and Rijksmuseum, attracts approximately 20 million visitors annually, with a significant portion arriving for parties and other events.

Mayor Femke Halsema voiced concerns last year that cruise tourists had limited time to explore the city, often dining at international chain restaurants and not making time for museum visits, thereby consuming the city’s resources without significantly contributing to it.

Amsterdam has set an ambitious sustainability goal to achieve complete emission-free status by 2030. Concerns about cruise ships stem from a 2021 study revealing that a single large cruise ship produces pollution levels equivalent to 30,000 trucks in a single day.