Tourists, pay up: Amsterdam will charge the highest tourist tax in Europe in 2024
Amsterdam will increase its tourist tax in 2024 in a continued effort to crack down on rowdy tourists. The new rate will be the highest in Europe and the fourth highest globally.
The new tax rate for overnight visitors will be 12.5%, up substantially from 7%, according to an announcement by the city earlier this month.
The more expensive tax means tourists will be contributing more to the very city they're enjoying.
"This allows us to address the consequences of overtourism and direct additional resources to keeping the streets clean and solving acute problems in neighbourhoods and districts," Hester van Buren, deputy mayor for finance, said in a statement.
More: Why Amsterdam wants tourists to 'stay away'
With the average room rate of €175 ($185.32), this translates to a €21.80 ($23.09) per night tax. Currently, the tax would be €15.25 ($16.03).
Cruise passengers will also be paying more too. The current tax is €8 ($8.41), and it's slated to go up to €11 ($11.56) per person per day.
By increasing the tourist tax, the city said it won't raise parking fees or property tax rates for its residents, according to the announcement. The tourist tax revenue will go directly into enhancing Amsterdam neighborhoods, such as growing the city's green spaces.
Next up on the to-do list is finding a way to tax day-trippers, van Buren told DutchNews.
The city's ongoing battle between troublesome tourists and locals goes back years. In 2019, the city banned guided tours in the Red Light District and this past March, launched a "Stay Away" campaign.
Amsterdam isn't the only city making travelers pay for their share. A few weeks ago, Iceland announced a tourist tax that would help protect its natural resources, which are a main draw for visitors. So did Venice and Bali. Even places in the U.S. charge a tourist tax. In Honolulu, travelers have to pay a total of 13.25% for their accommodations, and that money supports services like lifeguards and hiking trail maintenance.
Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amsterdam to increase tourist tax to be highest in Europe in 2024
