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Overtourism: 5 Cities Where Tourist Taxes Just Got Interesting

From reducing crowd size to preserving local charm, these taxes aim to strike a balance between tourism and quality of life. Here's what you need to know before booking your next trip!

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Your favourite tourist destinations want you to know: they need their space! Overcrowding is so not cool anymore—at least, that’s the vibe cities worldwide are channelling with their trendy new accessory: the tourist or congestion tax. From Venice’s €5 day-tripper fee to Manhattan’s new congestion charge, these tourist favourites are rolling out solutions to combat over-tourism and traffic jams. Think of it as cities enforcing their own “velvet ropes,” ensuring their cobblestone streets and iconic skylines stay fabulous for future generations. Love it or loathe it, these taxes are the latest must-have for destinations seeking to balance the allure of wanderlust with a little R&R—for the locals, that is.

Edinburgh, Scotland

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The castle-esque city of Edinburgh is about to make history (not that it requires to be any more historic than it already is) with Scotland’s very first tourist tax, expected to bring in a cool £50 million for the city. Starting May 1, 2025, a 5% levy will be added to your stay—whether you’re cosying up in a boutique hotel, or pitching a tent at a campsite. Post July 24, 2026, the tax will be capped at five nights. Consider it your contribution to keeping Edinburgh as enchanting as ever!

NYC's Manhattan, USA

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Stepping into the spotlight as the first US city to debut a congestion pricing system, Manhattan has imposed the ultimate "pay-to-play" for drivers heading below 60th Street. It's essentially an entry tax for your car, with charges ranging from $9 to $23 for passenger vehicles during peak hours—because no one likes a gridlock. This bold move aims to declutter the iconic streets, reduce pollution and fund New York’s public transit re-vamp. With exemptions for emergency vehicles and special categories, it’s a game-changer that’s as much about sustainability as it is about redefining how we move in the city of the greats, which clearly needs a little help.

Florence, Italy

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Florence is taking things up a notch from the rest. To preserve its timeless beauty, a 10-point plan is being rolled out in response to overtourism. Among the key measures? A crackdown on short-term rentals and restrictions on loudspeakers for tour guides in its UNESCO heritage zones. That’s not all—they have also introduced an eco-tax for tourists, adding a small charge to hotel stays to help fund the city’s preservation efforts. This initiative is designed to safeguard the city’s cultural treasures while keeping the experience just as magical for years to come. They might just be setting the example for the perfect co-existence of tradition and innovation.

Seville, Spain

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Seville has been seeing an Airbnb boom in recent years, and it has had enough. They've introduced fresh restrictions aimed at keeping the charm of local neighborhoods intact. The new rules cap tourist apartments at just 10% of any neighborhood’s homes, which could drastically affect hotspots, like the trendy Triana district. It’s set to be part of a broader effort to strike a balance between welcoming visitors and putting the residents' needs first. With rising rents making waves, Seville’s move is a smart blend of tourism control and community care, ensuring the city’s historic soul doesn’t get lost in the tourist overrun.

Venice, Italy

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It's no secret that Venice has been having tourist woes for more than a decade now. In an effort to preserve its delicate beauty, Venice is rolling out a day-tripper tax alongside its already-established overnight levy. Starting in April 2025, day visitors will need to shell out €5 to step foot in the city on high-traffic days. The fee, which can be conveniently paid through an online portal, is designed to help regulate the flood of daily tourists and support Venice’s upkeep. Exemptions include residents, children under 14 and overnight guests, making sure the locals and families are spared. The city's iconic charm and its lakes sure could use some rest, don't you think?

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