Britons visiting Hawaii could be slapped with new tourist tax in blow for travellers

Mountains in Hawaii / tourist with backpack

Britons visiting Hawaii could be charged more tax

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Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 20/02/2024

- 10:52

Updated: 20/02/2024

- 16:38

Hawaii is close to approving plans for a tourist tax for all visitors

Hawaii is the latest to share intentions to introduce a fee for visitors.

The tax has been proposed as a means to protect the environment on the island.


Lawmakers in Hawaii are set to approve a 'climate tax' of $25 (around £20).

The state faced devastation in August 2023 as wildfires in Lahaina, Maui, caused around 100 deaths and billions of dollars worth of damage.

Beach in Hawaii

The tax would cover the impacts on the climate

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Charging tourists who enter the state would go towards wildfire prevention and also to protect the climate, including the upkeep of beaches.

If introduced, the fee is estimated to raise around $68million (£53million) for the state.

This is not the first time the state has come close to charging visitors as similar proposals were made in 2022.

At the time, Green campaigned to have all tourists pay $50 (around £40) but this did not get enough votes.

Hawaii is a popular destination for tourists looking for some sun and relaxation and it had more than nine million visitors in 2022.

Many holiday destinations have taken to introducing tourist taxes in recent years to cut back on overtourism or to help the local environment.

Holiday "paradise" Bali will introduce a new tax for holidaymakers starting this month.

The tourism levy is IDR 150,000 (around £7) per person and must be paid once during the trip.

Mountains in Hawaii

​Hawaii is a beautiful holiday destination 

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Some parts of the UK have also discussed the idea of tourist taxes.

Scotland could introduce a fee to combat the "huge strain" put on local services by visitors.

Cornwall could also impose taxes as the huge influx of tourists to the county has made an economic and environmental impact.

Cornwall gets around four million visitors per year and tourism is important for the area.

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