IBX-Jakarta. Starting from January 1, 2024, Iceland is reinstating its tourist tax, obliging visitors to pay an accommodation fee once more. The Icelandic government has opted to reintroduce the hotel and lodging tax that was in effect prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourists will now face an extra charge of €3.98 per room in hotels, guesthouses, or alternative accommodations. Camping stays will incur an additional fee of €1.99 per night, while cruise ship passengers arriving in Iceland will be required to pay an extra €6.63.

The decision to reintroduce the tourist tax in Iceland is part of a strategy aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of over-tourism, specifically addressing social and environmental consequences. The generated revenue from the tax will be utilized to counteract the effects of excessive tourism within the country. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, Icelandic tourism experienced success in 2023. The country saw a substantial increase in foreign tourists during the summer, welcoming nearly 800,000 visitors—an impressive 25% growth compared to the same period in 2022. Nevertheless, there are concerns among experts regarding the reinstatement of the tax. Iv Marsa, Vice President of the tourism agency G Adventures, voiced apprehensions that the tax would further elevate the already substantial cost of visiting Iceland, creating an additional financial burden for travelers.

Source: Iceland Tourist Tax Coming Back in 2024 (rustourismnews.com)
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