Should you pay more to visit popular vacation spots or should you look elsewhere?

To counteract overtourism, major cities have implemented additional fees

The increase in tourist taxes is examined.

In an effort to address local concerns about overtourism, major cities are raising the cost of vacations for travelers.

Tourist fees have been raised in popular vacation destinations like Barcelona and Venice in an attempt to improve local infrastructure and alleviate overcrowding.

This led to the creation of the tourist tax, which is now included in hotel rates and entrance fees to popular locations.

The tourist tax for visitors staying in five-star hotels in Barcelona has gone up to 6 points per night, which comes to 47 points per week, or 38.

The same is true in Amsterdam, which levies a 12 percent tax on lodging, camping, and vacation rentals to pay for cultural amenities and local infrastructure.

To incentivize visitors to extend their stay, Venice implemented a five-day trip tax from April to July 10 if they make reservations within four days. If you are staying in Venice overnight, there is no fee.

The Plaza de Espana in Seville will also charge admission, and Edinburgh is even considering imposing a five percent visitor levy on overnight visitors starting in July 2026.

After you have already paid for your trip, these expenses might seem insignificant, but they could mount up.

Many travel experts are not surprised by this.

"To be honest, no one should be surprised that tourist taxes in major cities continue to rise," stated Cindy Scott, founder of the travel guide Cinders Travels. Edinburgh, Venice, and Barcelona have been overrun with tourists for years.

Residents become irritated, public transportation is strained, and streets become impassable due to overcrowding.

In order to regain control, governments view additional fees as a means of financing infrastructure and deterring the constant influx of tourists. For travelers, however, it comes down to one thing: a decision and additional cash out of pocket.

'The Hospitality Hero', hospitality expert Steven Hesketh, says the extra fee is actually a great way to save the industry a few pounds more per night.

The use of the word tax, he said, is confusing the situation because it is a visitor charge or levy and is about operators taking matters into their own hands to raise the necessary funds.

Here are some things to think about when deciding whether to pay the tourist tax or go elsewhere.

Examine before you go.

It's crucial to check before you leave and even before you pay because many vacationers might not be aware of the additional fees until they arrive to settle their hotel or lodging bill.

"Some websites may include the tax in the advertised price, while others will add it when you pay," stated Lori Delaney, marketing manager at Trtl Travel. A reliable method of determining the strategy your lodging is choosing is to look at the fine print on your reservation confirmation.

According to Andy Whitehead, chief financial officer of eviivo, a property management system, travelers should make sure they are making a reservation with a respectable company.

"If your booking confirmation does not mention a tourist tax for your seven-night stay in Barcelona, I would strongly advise double-checking whether one will be payable upon arrival at the hotel," he said. Nobody wants a surprise bill to start off their city break!

Luckily, the best places already have systems in place that let them tell customers up front about things like local tourist taxes. In summary, don't be seduced by hotel rates that look too good to be true because they most likely are if your desire is for a stress-free vacation in one of Europe's most popular travel destinations.

Pay the cost.

Will a few extra pounds a night really deter you from going somewhere you truly want to go, especially if that money is being used to support the infrastructure and local economy?

Scott went on: "It's a strategic game for travelers. Like museum admission fees or guided tours, some people will cover the expense and claim it is a necessary part of the experience.

"Others are going to start searching for places where they can spend more money. There isn't a universal solution. Even if the cost is high, some people will always pay to see the icons. Others will change their focus and look for less well-known areas that haven't joined the tax trend yet.

Other places to visit.

Searching for similar but frequently less expensive alternatives to major cities is a common travel trend.

"It's likely to influence future travel decisions and see a shift toward lesser-known places without the premium price tag challenging today's top travel spots," stated Rachel Mumford, travel expert at comparison website Kayak.

By entering your destination, Kayak's "Best Time to Travel" tool will determine the best month to fly, allowing you to avoid crowds and expensive airfare.

Some tourists may even shorten their stay at a particular place.

"People didn't stop coming to Amsterdam when the city raised its visitor tax, but they started shortening their stays," Scott continued. Venice's new regulation may drive tourists to more affordable, less crowded Italian gems, which still have a lot of charm. Some cities will benefit from this rerouting in the long run.

"If someone objects to Barcelona's taxes, they might end up wandering into Girona. Bypassing Venice's surcharge, a tourist may wind up falling for Bologna.

However, if everyone turns to other places, there is a drawback, says Tatyana Tsukanova, research associate and visiting professor at the EHL Hospitality Business School: "The implementation of a tourist tax can also create a domino effect: tourists may seek quieter alternative destinations instead of crowded'must-see' places." If these more sedate locations are not ready, they may eventually experience the same degree of overtourism, even though they may benefit initially from the redirected tourist traffic.

Therefore, before they are implemented, tourism taxes should be carefully calibrated to prevent negative effects on the sector. For instance, a tax rate that is excessively high will hurt tourism-related income. The difficulty lies in striking the ideal balance between ensuring sustainability and bringing in local money without overtaxing visitors.