The country is implementing the new tourist fee to protect its iconic natural beauty.
Icelandis select an extra step to protect its demesne , and it is targeting tourists to do so .
The country just announce that it is introducing a holidaymaker tax so as to help protect its " good nature . " Iceland ’s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir toldBloombergthat the high number of tourists coming to visit the country ’s gorgeous natural landmarks emphatically impacts the environment , so a tax could assist relieve the air pressure on that as well as that on clime .
" touristry has really grow exponentially in Iceland in the last decade , and that manifestly is not just make gist on the clime , " Jakobsdóttir read . " It ’s also because most of our guests who are come to us are visiting the unspoiled nature , and apparently it creates a pressure . "
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Tourism in Iceland has soared over the preceding few years . According to theIceland Tourism Board , between 2010 and 2018 tourer numbers grew by more than 400 % , reaching more than 2.3 million annual international visitors . In 2022 , after the pandemic - mandate traveling intermission , tourism in Iceland has seen dramatic growth again , and counted 1.7 million international tourists last year alone .
The tax would serve cut back this problem as well . With more money funding the tourism industry , the country would be able to commit more in public transportation system and infrastructure , and it could recreate any damage done to public areas and landmark . " It is stand for to expand taxation to get over rider on sail ships alongside hotel , " a spokesperson for Iceland ’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs toldUSA Today . " Recognizing the impact on our ocean as well as land . "
tourer should n’t expect the tax to be a huge financial burden . harmonise to Jakobsdóttir , the new touristry tax will not be gamey , though it is still unclear as of this piece of writing how much it will cost . As the spokesperson for Iceland ’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs pointed out , the tax is supposed to take impression in 2024 .
Entry fees and tourer taxes are n’t a novelty in New travelling . In late years , and in some cases , after the pandemic , city around the human beings have start out collecting fees from international holidaymaker in edict to help preserve the places they plan to visit . Venice , Italywill set forth implement a tourist revenue enhancement in 2024 , whileManchester , UKhas already introduced its own visitor fee since this preceding April .
