International travellers planning trips in 2026 face rising costs from local “tourist taxes” — levies imposed by city authorities on overnight stays and, in some cases, day visitors.
These fees are collected to fund infrastructure, public services, tourism management, and in some cases, to curb overtourism. Here is the ranked list of the 10 global cities where visitors will pay the highest tourism‑related taxes in 2026, from lowest among the top ten to highest:
10. Milan, ItalyMilan’s accommodation tax was increased for 2026 to support infrastructure upgrades tied to the Winter Olympic Games. The levy applies to stays within 30 km of Olympic venues and varies by hotel class, with charges up to about €10 per night for luxury hotels and up to €9.50 for mid‑range accommodations on the first 14 nights of a stay.
9. Paris, FranceParis imposes a municipal “taxe de séjour” on accommodation, where the amount per person per night depends on hotel star ratings. As one of Europe’s most visited cities, this per‑night tourist tax contributes to public transport, maintenance of attractions, and tourism development budgets.
8. Kyoto, JapanKyoto is introducing one of Japan’s highest hotel taxes in 2026. Under a tiered system, tourists staying in high‑end accommodations may pay as much as ¥10,000 (approximately $68) per person per night for rooms priced above certain thresholds, with lower tiers for mid‑range and budget stays. The hike aims to address overtourism in the historic city.
7. Barcelona, SpainBarcelona raised its tourism tax significantly in 2026, nearly doubling fees for holiday rentals and increasing charges on hotel stays. Depending on the class of accommodation, visitors may pay upwards of €10‑€15 per night. A share of the revenue is earmarked to support affordable housing and urban maintenance programs.
6. Montreal, CanadaMontreal imposes an accommodation levy on tourist stays that contributes to city services and tourism promotion. Though lower than some European and U.S. cities, it ranks within the global top ten due to its relatively high per‑night charges on hotel and short‑term rental stays.
5. Amsterdam, NetherlandsAmsterdam has one of the highest accommodation taxes in Europe, with a base city tax rate of around 12.5 % of the room cost. Seasonal flat fees for cruise passengers and other visitor surcharges increase the overall tax burden further. With recent increases in local VAT on accommodation, the effective tax rate for tourists can exceed 30 % of the room cost.
4. Las Vegas, United StatesLas Vegas charges some of the highest hotel‑bed tax rates in the U.S., with combined local and state levies often exceeding those in other major American destinations. These taxes are added to nightly rates on hotels and resorts and fund tourism promotion and convention infrastructure.
3. Washington, D.C., United StatesWashington, D.C., levies a hotel tax that includes a percentage of room charges plus additional local assessments. As the U.S. capital with heavy business and leisure travel, its overall tax burden on overnight stays places it high on the global list.
2. New York City, United StatesNew York City implements a combination of hotel occupancy taxes, including city and state components, which together produce significant added costs to travellers per night. The revenue supports city services, tourism marketing, and public facilities.
1. Los Angeles, United StatesLos Angeles tops the 2026 global ranking for tourist tax burden. Its hotel tax structure combines multiple levies that together create one of the highest per‑night costs on visitor accommodations worldwide. The taxes fund tourism infrastructure, public safety, and city services geared toward supporting the tourism industry.
Why the Increase MattersTourist taxes have proliferated as cities recover from post‑pandemic travel surges and grapple with overtourism.
They are used to service tourist demand, preserve cultural and historic assets, and finance infrastructure expansion in high‑traffic destinations. Some cities, like Edinburgh, are introducing taxes for the first time in 2026, while others expand existing frameworks to generate additional revenue.
Source : Nairametrics
