Holidaymakers planning trips for 2026 will need to budget for a growing list of new tourist taxes, with destinations worldwide introducing or increasing fees to manage visitor numbers and fund local infrastructure. These charges, often a point of contention in the travel industry, are set to add a significant extra cost to getaways, from a modest nightly levy in Eastern Europe to a world-topping percentage in a major US city.
European Destinations Introduce New Visitor Levies
Several European hotspots are leading the charge. Bucharest, the Romanian capital famed for its Parisian-style architecture, will implement a new nightly tourist tax of 10 Romanian Leu (approximately £1.70) from 2026. Local authorities state the funds will be used to promote the city further as a tourist destination.
In the UK, new powers are coming into effect. England will gain the same authority as Scotland and Wales, allowing regional mayors to decide on implementing local tourist taxes. The North East is already considering a £2 per night charge, which could generate an estimated £20 million annually for the area. Meanwhile, the debate continues in London over whether to introduce a flat fee or a percentage-based accommodation charge.
Scotland is moving ahead, with Edinburgh rolling out its visitor levy from 24 July this year. The charge will be 5% added to your accommodation bill, applied at check-in or check-out, and is capped at the first five nights of any stay.
Global Tourism Hubs Hike Fees Significantly
Further afield, the changes are even more pronounced. Los Angeles has recently increased its tourist tax to 15.5% of a visitor's accommodation cost, now claiming the title of the world's most expensive. For a traveller staying in a £208-per-night hotel room from 2026, this would mean an extra £32 per night, or roughly £167 for a week-long stay.
In Asia, Thailand's long-planned tourist tax is rumoured to begin from mid-2026. The fee will be 300 Baht (just over £7) for air passengers and 150 Baht for those arriving by sea. Japan's historic city of Kyoto, which already has a levy, will see a major increase in 2026. The tax is tiered based on accommodation cost, with the most dramatic hike affecting luxury stays. Guests paying over 100,000 yen (about £474) per night will see their tax increase tenfold to a hefty 10,000 yen (approximately £48) nightly.
Local Powers and the Future of Travel Taxation
The trend extends to giving local areas more control. Norway will empower local municipalities to decide on a 3% tourist tax. Popular Northern Lights destinations Lofoten and Tromsø have already confirmed they will introduce the charge, with others expected to follow.
These measures highlight a global balancing act: using tourism revenue to preserve heritage and improve infrastructure while trying not to deter the visitors who are essential to local economies. As 2026 approaches, savvy travellers will need to factor these additional costs into their holiday budgets, transforming the final price of a getaway.
