The hospitality industry fears a tourist tax will deter visitors – the evidence says otherwise

The Guardian Business Thursday 10 September 2026, 16:37 UTC By Josh Halliday North of England editor 1 min read

Key Points

Studies from hotspots across Europe that have introduced levies suggest they have no impact on visitor numbersIf you wandered down Las Ramblas or lazed on a beach in the Balearics this summer, you probably paid a tourist tax for the privilege. In fact, if you enjoyed any of Europe’s beauty spots in recent years, it is likely that an overnight levy was added to your bill. Britons have become used to paying these fees abroad but ministers have shied away from introducing them in the UK.

Studies from hotspots across Europe that have introduced levies suggest they have no impact on visitor numbers

If you wandered down Las Ramblas or lazed on a beach in the Balearics this summer, you probably paid a tourist tax for the privilege. In fact, if you enjoyed any of Europe’s beauty spots in recent years, it is likely that an overnight levy was added to your bill.

Britons have become used to paying these fees abroad but ministers have shied away from introducing them in the UK. The furious response from UK hospitality bosses helps to explain why.

Europe (LOCATION) Las Ramblas (LOCATION) Balearics (LOCATION) Britons (PERSON) UK (LOCATION)

Originally published by The Guardian Business Read original →

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The hospitality industry fears a tourist tax will drive visitors away – the evidence disagrees

Studies from hotspots across Europe that have introduced a levy suggest it has no impact on visitor numbersIf you wandered down Las Ramblas or lazed on a beach in the Balearics this summer, you probably paid a tourist tax for the privilege. In fact, if you enjoyed any of Europe’s beauty spots in recent years, an overnight levy was most likely added to your bill. Britons have become used to paying these fees abroad but ministers have shied away from introducing them in the UK.

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The hospitality industry fears a tourist tax will deter visitors – the evidence says otherwise

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The hospitality industry fears a tourist tax will drive visitors away – the evidence disagrees