Going on holiday will be a very different experience in 2024 as Europe cracks down on British tourists - analysis by Sarra Gray

Going on holiday will be a very different experience in 2024 as Europe cracks down on British tourists - analysis by Sarra Gray

Travel chaos has swept the UK in 2023

GB NEWS
Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 26/12/2023

- 09:38

Updated: 31/01/2024

- 16:10

An exclusive members-only analysis from Head of Lifestyle Sarra Gray

Travel is going to look very different next year.

Gone are the days of booking a stress-free cruise, whizzing through security at the airport or having all costs covered when you land at your destination.


More expensive holidays aren't because travel providers are hiking up their prices.

New tourist taxes are being introduced within weeks and countries are making it more difficult for cruise ships to stop at ports Britons used to love.

And if you manage to book your holiday without problems, Britons will be hit by longer queues at borders than ever before.

Up to "four times longer", in fact, according to the Slovenian Government.

Spain beach

Those travelling to Europe could face higher charges

GETTY

So, what exactly can you expect when travelling abroad in 2024?

The biggest change affecting those going to Europe is the introduction of new post-Brexit border checks.

To enter the EU, we need to agree to have our fingerprints taken and facial images captured.

Personal data including your name, date of birth, nationality and travel documents also need to be shared as part of the new post-Brexit measures.

The new checks will replace getting passports stamped but Governments, including Slovenia and Austria, have shared concerns over how much longer it will take people to get through checks.

Whether you fly, use the Eurotunnel or enter via cruise ship, you need to comply with the checks, although under-12s are exempt.

It will apply in all EU countries, apart from Cyprus and Ireland, and non-EU countries Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein.

When Britons finally get into the country, they will be hit with more tourist taxes and fees than ever before.

From January 2024, tourist tax in Paris will rise by as much as 200 per cent.

Visitors currently pay between €0.25 (22p) and €5 (£4.30) per night, depending on the type of accommodation, but as much as 200 per cent can be added to this cost according to the new proposals.

The €5 charge could total up to €15 (£13) per person per night if the maximum 200 per cent increase (€10) is charged.

The reason behind the higher fees is to improve public transport, but it could add nearly £50 per person to the cost of a three-night weekend break for Britons staying at a pricier hotel.

Tourist tax in Amsterdam will increase to 12.5 per cent of the price of the hotel room.

Cruise ship guests will also need to pay an increased fee of €11 (£9.55) per visitor, up from €8 (£6.95) - not to mention higher taxes being introduced in Venice, Valencia, Barcelona, Madrid, Olhao, Faro and Figueira da Foz.

This means Britons will have a lot more to consider when jetting off at a time when budgets are already tight.

Cruise routes will look different as well.

Not only will cruise guests face the same higher fees when stopping in these European countries, popular stops will be pulled for itineraries altogether as well.

In a recent vote, Amsterdam City Council agreed to shut down the cruise terminal.

Barcelona closed its north terminal which means around 340 ships will now need to dock further away at the Moll d'Adossat pier.

A 'one-ship-per-terminal' rule is also enforced meaning just seven cruise ships can dock in the city at one time.

And this is just the beginning with more restrictions planned, including the closure of Barcelona's south terminal by 2026.

Ryanair flight

Airlines will put on more routes next year

PA

The tourist taxes and cruise restrictions are justified by many local Governments as measures to prevent overcrowding or to improve facilities.

Cruise ships have also been banned in some places to help with pollution, such as Venice, which banned large cruise ships for good in 2021.

Whatever the reason for the changes, guests will not be able to travel as freely as before.

It's not all bad news, however, as Britons will be able to travel to more destinations more easily.

Popular airlines including British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet have shared they will fly to more European destinations from next year.

Lots of the flights are on sale at an affordable price, too.

With many families traditionally looking to book their 2024 summer getaway within the next few weeks, they may even be able to bag a bargain in the January sales.

But wherever you're jetting off to, there will be more to consider than ever before in 2024.

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