Amsterdam to be the city with the highest tourist tax in Europe in 2024

30-09-23

Cities and countries across Europe have introduced visitor fees in their fight against the return of mass tourism after the pandemic. The additional fees could add hundreds of dollars to the cost of a holiday.

Next year, Venice, Valencia and Iceland have suggested that visitors will have to pay to enter. Several destinations are also raising their fees, including Barcelona. However, the highest tourist tax for 2024 looks set to be in Amsterdam.

The Dutch city has been plagued by overwhelming visitor numbers and bad tourist behaviour, and residents of the city of canals are suffering. Now, local authorities have approved a series of measures that will help those who live in Amsterdam, and will mean that tourists will pay more to visit.

The Amsterdam city council has approved its budget for 2024, and one of the most significant changes for travellers wishing to visit the city is the tourist tax.

The tax, which is charged on overnight visitors to the city, will increase by 12.5%, making it the highest in the European Union. Tourists pay an average accommodation cost of 175 euros (184 dollars) per person. Based on this price, the tourist tax surcharge will rise from €15.25 to €21.80 person/night in 2024.

The tax on cruise passengers will also increase. Those arriving by cruise ship will have to pay eleven euros instead of eight euros in 2024.

However, day visitors to the Dutch city currently do not have to pay an entrance fee, but the local government is also considering introducing a tourist tax for this type of visitor in the future.

Hester van Buren, Amsterdam's Councillor for Finance, has told the local press that the current administration is considering the introduction of a day visitor tax similar to the one that has long been in place in Venice, albeit without installing turnstiles.

By raising the tourist tax in Amsterdam, the aim is to improve the quality of life for residents, according to Van Buren. The increased revenue will finance various subsidies and schemes for those living in the city. For example, property tax and parking fees will not increase in 2024. /

"The tourist tax will increase: visitors will thus contribute to the city's major tasks. This allows us to tackle the consequences of excessive tourism and to make extra efforts to keep the streets clean and solve serious problems in the neighbourhoods," explains the councillor for finance.

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