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Taxing tourists

The Guardian sent this email to their subscribers on April 6, 2023.

Irish coastal boltholes, heritage railway journeys and Nepalese trekking ban.
The Guardian
The Guardian / Great Escapes

This newsletter supports our Guardian Holidays Business

 

Good evening. Paying a tourism tax abroad is accepted with minimum fuss, seen as a normal part of holiday costs. Yet, Manchester’s decision to introduce a tax for overnight visitors- the first city in the UK to do so- has led to criticism with some saying they will never return. Overnight guests in city centre hotels or holiday apartments have been told they will have to pay £1 a night, per room, as part of the new scheme which should lead to an extra £3m a year in the city’s coffers. In many foreign destinations a nominal fee is usually added to your hotel bill or your travel tickets, and in most cases the money goes towards improving facilities in the local area for tourists and for residents. The practice is predicted to become increasingly widespread around the world, ostensibly to raise funds that can help mitigate the often negative effects of tourism. Some view it as a controversial move, but others have seen the direct benefit of having a tourism tax. In Valencia, the tax has been used to provide affordable housing, in Greece it has been used to reduce national debt and in Barcelona the contribution by tourists is used to support infrastructure including roads. “Tourism taxes can help us protect the places we love,” Justin Francis, co-founder and CEO of Responsible Travel, has previously said. “When we travel, we become temporary residents in someone else’s home. We use their public services, facilities and infrastructure - it’s only fair we pay towards that,” he added.

Nazia Parveen
Assistant travel editor

Nazia Parveen
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Story of the week

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Manchester’s £1-a-night tourist tax comes into force. Read more

 

Our travel picks of the week

1

Bank holiday | Eight great trips for the long bank holiday weekends. Read more

2

Train | ‘Travel back in time’: six of Britain’s best heritage railways. Read more  

3

Ireland | 10 of the best seaside hotels. Read more  

 

Featured Trip

Norfolk – Royal Sandringham and the Broads

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There’s no time like spring to discover this town and the vast tulip fields nearby. Your five-day tour will include a scenic boat cruise on the Broads and a visit to Royal Sandringham Estate.

 

In other news

Image

Nepal imposes ban on mountain trekking without a guide.

Read more

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This week's favourite trips

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Seville, Granada and classic Spain
Journey through Spain with day trips to Granada, the glorious City of Flamenco Seville, and the enchanting hill-top town of Ronda, above its famous Gorge.

Image

The Royal Caledonian
Take to the tracks with a remarkable train journey to the Scottish Highlands, with visits to Balmoral Castle and Crathie Kirk church, and expertly guided tours to Edinburgh and Inverness.

Image

Amsterdam and the Dutch Bulbfields
Embark on the ultimate long weekend getaway with this river cruise, combining beautiful villages, stunning floral vistas, and the vibrant energy of one of Europe's top cities.

 

Readers tips

Image

‘The chateau is screensaver material’: readers’ favourite long weekend trips.

Read more

Image
 

Deal of the week

South Africa: Walking and wildlife: Save £100pp

Experience South Africa’s awe-inspiring nature and wildlife as you hike through forests and mountains, on the lookout for elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards and much more.

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Image of the week

The ‘visual feast’ of the Kusttram line runs along the length of the Belgian coast.

 
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Skip to main content The Guardian   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌ The Guardian / Great Escapes This newsletter supports our Guardian Holidays Business Good evening. Paying a tourism tax abroad is accepted with minimum fuss, seen as a normal part of holiday costs. Yet, Manchester’s decision to introduce a tax for overnight visitors- the first city in the UK to do so- has led to criticism with some saying they will never return. Overnight guests in city centre hotels or holiday apartments have been told they will have to pay £1 a night, per room, as part of the new scheme which should lead to an extra £3m a year in the city’s coffers. In many foreign destinations a nominal fee is usually added to your hotel bill or your travel tickets, and in most cases the money goes towards improving facilities in the local area for tourists and for residents. The practice is predicted to become increasingly widespread around the world, ostensibly to raise funds that can help mitigate the often negative effects of tourism. Some view it as a controversial move, but others have seen the direct benefit of having a tourism tax. In Valencia, the tax has been used to provide affordable housing, in Greece it has been used to reduce national debt and in Barcelona the contribution by tourists is used to support infrastructure including roads. “Tourism taxes can help us protect the places we love,” Justin Francis, co-founder and CEO of Responsible Travel, has previously said. “When we travel, we become temporary residents in someone else’s home. We use their public services, facilities and infrastructure - it’s only fair we pay towards that,” he added. Nazia Parveen Assistant travel editor Nazia Parveen Image   Story of the week Image Manchester’s £1-a-night tourist tax comes into force. Read more Our travel picks of the week 1 Bank holiday | Eight great trips for the long bank holiday weekends. Read more 2 Train | ‘Travel back in time’: six of Britain’s best heritage railways. Read more   3 Ireland | 10 of the best seaside hotels. Read more   Featured Trip Norfolk – Royal Sandringham and the Broads Image There’s no time like spring to discover this town and the vast tulip fields nearby. Your five-day tour will include a scenic boat cruise on the Broads and a visit to Royal Sandringham Estate. View deal  Image In other news Image Nepal imposes ban on mountain trekking without a guide. Read more Image This week's favourite trips Image Seville, Granada and classic Spain Journey through Spain with day trips to Granada, the glorious City of Flamenco Seville, and the enchanting hill-top town of Ronda, above its famous Gorge. View deal  Image Image The Royal Caledonian Take to the tracks with a remarkable train journey to the Scottish Highlands, with visits to Balmoral Castle and Crathie Kirk church, and expertly guided tours to Edinburgh and Inverness. View deal  Image Image Amsterdam and the Dutch Bulbfields Embark on the ultimate long weekend getaway with this river cruise, combining beautiful villages, stunning floral vistas, and the vibrant energy of one of Europe's top cities. View deal  Image Readers tips Image ‘The chateau is screensaver material’: readers’ favourite long weekend trips. Read more Image Deal of the week South Africa: Walking and wildlife: Save £100pp Experience South Africa’s awe-inspiring nature and wildlife as you hike through forests and mountains, on the lookout for elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards and much more. Image View deal  Image Image Image of the week The ‘visual feast’ of the Kusttram line runs along the length of the Belgian coast. Image theguardian.com/travel Guardian Escapes Escorted Tours Home exchange Cottages and villas If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email [email protected] Contact Us              
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