'Most expensive' accommodation tax in history imposed in ancient capital Kyoto

From next year, visitors to the ancient capital of Kyoto could have to pay up to 10,000 yen (about 1.5 million VND) extra per night, in the city's efforts to deal with overtourism.

The decision came after Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications approved the city's proposal on October 3. The new tax is expected to take effect next year, marking the first increase since the tax was introduced in 2018.

Tourists in Kyoto. Photo: Travel Caffeine

With the new regulations, Kyoto expects revenue from accommodation tax to increase from 5.2 billion yen (nearly 800 billion VND) to 12.6 billion yen (more than 1.9 trillion VND). City officials said this revenue will be used to "enhance attractiveness" and promote sustainable tourism.

Currently, visitors to Kyoto only have to pay a maximum tax of 1,000 yen (about 150,000 VND) per night.

The new tax is calculated based on the nightly room rate, applied in tiers.

The tax hike comes as Japan’s tourism booms after the pandemic. Last year, the country welcomed a record 36.9 million international visitors, up 15.6% from 2019. The surge in visitors has brought economic benefits but also caused problems, especially overtourism.

At Mount Fuji, "traffic jams" on the slopes have raised concerns about pollution and safety. Many local authorities have had to plan to strengthen infrastructure and expand public transport to meet demand.

Kyoto’s tax is not intended to deter tourists, experts say. Instead, it is a way to ensure that tourists “share the costs of measures to combat overtourism.”

“After years of record demand, destinations are looking to reduce pressure on infrastructure and local communities,” said Nicholas Smith, Digital Director of Holidays at online travel company Thomas Cook.

These taxes, he said, are designed to reinvest in the very things that make cities attractive, such as cultural preservation, public transport, sanitation and better management of visitors.

Mr Smith believes Kyoto's tiered tax system will have "a negligible negative impact if coupled with value creation". "Tourists choosing luxury accommodation are often interested in quality and uniqueness. When they see that their contribution supports local sustainability and improves the destination, it enhances, not detracts from, their experience," he adds.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/ap-thue-luu-tru-dat-nhat-lich-su-o-co-do-kyoto-post297090.html