Countries such as Greece implement new taxes to combat over tourism and the effects of climatic change due to the raised tourist tax implemented worldwide. But do these taxes really make an impact or just another addition on the travelers’ list?
More countries are imposing tourist taxes to address environmental issues as a much altered world is gasping for breath in the wake of the effects of global climatic changes.
Greece, with its ancient monuments and pristine beaches, is the latest of countries that imposed a “resilience fee in relation to climate crisis” to finance projects that promote sustainability and rehabilitation in the aftermath of the destructive weather patterns.
This surcharge, which almost doubles the accommodation tax, is already in place from March to October.
This is not exclusive to Greece. Tourist taxes were also introduced or hiked this year in Venice, Bali, New Zealand, among other tourist destinations.
It is up to the tourist to preserve that natural beauty in the said places, and these fees help curb over tourism and fund environment-friendly projects.
Criticisms abound-there’s the issue, for instance, that poor tourists will likely bear most of the cost. Other people question whether the money collected is transparently used. Still, many analysts believe that the growing number of tourist fees is a good way to go.
Sustainability expert Anna Abelson observes, “we are finally addressing the environmental impacts of mass tourism.”
Although it is not yet known whether the effectiveness will be met, at least this has made tourism a more responsible activity. With climate change, thus changing our world, we can expect more destinations to step up and take similar measures in protecting their own natural and cultural heritage.
