"Bali Introduces $10 Tourism Tax for Travelers"…Changes in Overseas Travel for the New Year

Starting February 14, Fees Charged to Foreign Tourists
Venice Also Imposes Fees on Day-Trip Visitors from April to July
Measures Taken as Side Effects Worsen Due to Tourist Influx

World-famous vacation destinations are introducing tourism taxes or increasing existing fees starting from the new year. This move comes as a response to the surge in travelers following the transition to the endemic phase of infectious diseases and the resulting side effects. The tax applies to foreign tourists visiting the locations. Additionally, the travel industry highlights changed regulations that those planning overseas trips this year should take note of.

Bali sign inside Ngurah Rai Airport, Indonesia
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to related industries on the 21st, Bali, a popular vacation spot in Indonesia, will impose a tourism tax of 150,000 rupiah (about 13,000 KRW) on foreign travelers starting next month. The tourism tax will be charged not only to overseas tourists but also when entering Bali via other regions of Indonesia. For example, if a foreign tourist travels from Bali to Lombok and returns to Bali on the same day, they must pay the tourism tax twice.

Venice, the northern Italian city built on water, will charge a 5-euro (about 7,000 KRW) entrance fee to day-trip tourists from April to July this year. This policy was established as the number of tourists surged after COVID-19, causing environmental damage and threatening the daily lives of residents in this globally renowned tourist destination. However, tourists staying overnight in Venice are exempt from the entrance fee. Starting June this year, group tours in Venice will be limited to 25 people, and the use of loudspeakers by tour guides will be prohibited.

Tourists are riding gondolas in Venice, the northern Italian water city. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Amsterdam in the Netherlands has also decided to increase its existing tourism tax for similar reasons. Previously, a 7% tourism tax was charged per night at local accommodations, but this will be raised to 12.5%. Additionally, customs fees for visitors arriving by cruise ship to Amsterdam will increase from 8 euros (about 12,000 KRW) to 11 euros (about 16,000 KRW). Furthermore, Paris, France, ahead of this year’s Summer Olympics, plans to raise fees imposed on hotel and other accommodation charges by up to 200%, collecting them under the name of tourism tax.

Reflecting the diversification of overseas travel destinations, the expansion of direct flight routes is another noteworthy factor. Phu Quoc, a popular travel destination in Vietnam, operates direct flights from Incheon through Korean Air, Jin Air, and Jeju Air to meet winter season demand. Another destination, Da Lat, has also gained direct flight routes. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia’s representative vacation spot, will have daily direct flights from Incheon operated by AirAsia starting March this year.

Additionally, starting from the new year, the duty-free limit for perfume has been raised from 60ml to 100ml, allowing overseas travelers to purchase one 100ml bottle of perfume or two 50ml bottles at duty-free prices.