Major blow to British tourists as taxes and fees hiked in 4 top holiday spots | World | News

Four popular tourist destinations are increasing tourist taxes and fees to combat overtourism. Japan will overhaul its tourism policies in 2026 with higher exit taxes and visa fees for foreign visitors. Currently, a single-entry visa to Japan costs around £15, significantly cheaper than the US, where it can cost up to £140.

However, the increase in Japanese tourism has prompted the government to re-evaluate the sustainability of its current policies to avoid overtourism. The current exit tax of around £7 will be used to maintain tourism infrastructure and promote sustainable tourism, with plans to increase it to around £25.

Meanwhile, Catalonia, one of the most frequented regions of Spain, is also increasing its tourism taxes.

From October 2025, the daily tourist tax will rise to 15 euros, potentially making it the highest tax in Spain.

The move follows a significant increase in visitors to the area, which has worsened overcrowding in Barcelona and placed additional pressure on public services and infrastructure.

Venice has also expanded its daily tourist tax to cover more days throughout the year, including the peak season from May to October, in a bid to control the influx of visitors.

Depending on how tourists sign up, they may face fees ranging from €5 to €10.

The purpose of this tax is to deter day trippers, who contribute little to the local economy but put significant pressure on the city’s resources.

Finally, Norway is also considering imposing a tourist tax of up to 5% on hotel stays and other accommodation in areas such as Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands.

These popular destinations are grappling with the challenges of high volumes of visitors and the resulting pressure on local resources.