Published on
October 23, 2025
Japan, Spain, Italy, and Norway have recently taken significant steps to tackle the growing issue of overtourism. As international travel surges back to pre-pandemic levels, these countries have faced increasing pressure from the influx of visitors, which has strained local resources, environments, and cultural sites. To counteract these challenges, Japan, Spain, Italy, and Norway are implementing new taxes and fees aimed at managing the volume of tourists while safeguarding their economies and natural landscapes. These changes are not only influencing how tourists experience these destinations but also impacting the airline and hospitality industries, with potential increases in travel costs. As governments balance the economic benefits of tourism with the need for preservation, tourists will need to adjust to the evolving landscape of travel. This shift towards sustainable tourism presents new opportunities to explore these countries while supporting efforts to protect their unique heritage and environment.
Japan, Spain, Italy, and Norway Increase Taxes and Fees to Curb Overtourism and Protect Local Economies
With the world returning to pre-pandemic levels of international travel, overtourism is once again a problem for many countries. An increase in visitors is starting to be detrimental to the economies, cultural heritage, and natural environments of many countries. Japan, Spain, Italy, and Norway have begun responding to this issue by implementing new taxes and fees with the hope of resolving the negative socio-environmental impacts of tourism while still enjoying the positives. In this article, we will analyze these changes in more depth, focusing on the impacts these changes will have on tourists, the airlines, and the hospitality sector.
Japan’s Strategy to Curb Overtourism
Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia. Japan will most likely implement big changes to their tourism policies in 2026. New policies to limit tourism will most likely include increased departure taxes and increased visa fees on foreign visitors to Japan. The purpose of these policies is to control the huge influx of tourists and also align Japan with global practices.
Increased Visa Fees and Departure Taxes
In Japan, a single-entry visa goes for 3,000 yen (around $20). Compared to the United States, which can go up to $185, Japan’s visa application fees is one of the cheapest in the world. The expansion of Japan’s tourism to other countries has made the government reconsider the sustainability of the tourism policies to prevent issues of “overtourism.’” The departing tax, currently 1,000 yen, will be used to support the maintenance of tourism infrastructure and the sustainability of tourism, which is projected to rise to 3,300 yen.
Effects on Airlines and Tourism
Airlines will continue to adapt to these changes as well. For Japan, All Nippon Airlines and Japan Airlines will have to evaluate travel costs to determine how to accommodate customers. While flights will be costly, Japan has made investments in sustainable tourism that can enrich valuable long term positive changes like upgraded infrastructure and better services to support locals and tourists.
For tourism in Japan’s big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, hospitality may see changes in booking patterns. Increased hospitality expenses may scare away budget travelers, but will very much likely attract tourists with bigger wallets. Higher end clientele is now being sought after with new eco friendly resorts and accommodations being built to support the newly made options.
Catalonia Introduces Tourist Tax to Curb Overtourism
Tourist taxes have been increased in one of the Spain’s most visited regions, Catalonia. Changes to the tourist taxes in Catalonia will take effect on October 2025 when they will increase the daily tourist tax to €15, which projected to be the highest in Spain. This decision comes after a significant increase in tourists to the region, adding to the already overcrowded Barcelona and putting public infrastructures and services under greater strain.
Airlines and Hospitality Sector Impact
In the region, the increased taxes will have repercussions on the airlines and hospitality sector. Airlines like Iberia and Vueling will have to incorporate the increased tax cost, which in turn will probably increase ticket prices. On the other hand, the increased tax will most likely deter low-budget tourists and will attract high paying tourists, which is wanted, as high paying tourists reduce the crowd.
Barcelona and other tourist city hotels have changed their target customers. High-end hotels focusing on the more affluent clientele justified the higher taxes with luxury services. Barcelona might experience a shift in more sustainable tourism as small, boutique hotels will gain more personalized attention and benefit from fewer guests.
Italy’s Venice Expands Tourist Tax to Manage Overtourism
The city of Venice is known for its history and especially for its canals. Venice is known for overtourism and to combat that, the city expanded its day tourist tax to cover more days of the year. This will include the high season from May to October and will include taxes of €5 to €10 depending on how tourists register. The aim of the tourist tax is to limit day visitors who spend little on the local economy and place a greater strain on the city’s resources.
Changes in Tourism Impacting Airlines and Hotel Industries
Airlines might be impacted in terms of demand when it comes to short-trip travelers. These are the people who used to come to Venice and leave without an overnight stay. Bookings for airlines like Alitalia and budget airlines like Ryanair might shift, leading travelers to pick different Italian cities and stay longer in Venice because of the tax.
Venice’s hotel owners are also adapting. Venice hotels, and even the boutique hotels on the Grand Canal, are adjusting to the new reality to raise prices. These new prices put the hotel owners place the business with the still high demand in the city and help the owners to shift focus on luxury travelers. These travelers will pay more for exclusivity, and the crowds of Venice will be more of a charm.
Norway Wants to Place a Tourist Tax
With beautiful landscapes, fjords, and cities like Oslo and Bergen, Norway is on the rise with the idea to place a tourist tax. Norway’s government is proposing a tax of up to 5% on hotel stays and other accommodations in areas like Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands, which are struggling with the high number of visitors and growing strain.
Airlines and the Norwegian Hospitality Industry
Norwegian Air Shuttle and SAS will likely respond to the new tax by changing ticket prices. Although higher prices might concern budget travelers, Norway’s beautiful nature will attract many eco tourists. If travelers will pay a little more for a high eco-friendly nature experience, Norway’s environment is a good place for that.
Within eco-sustainable tourism, major cities and tourist hotspot hotels are putting more focus on the eco-friendly tourism. Going eco-sustainable is a more urgent priority, and more travelers are coming to see new technology hotels. Norway’s hospitality industry is accepting the eco-sustainable focus saying that Norway’s natural beauty and resources must be protected for future generations.
Travel-Friendly Tips for Tourists Visiting These Countries
These days, travelers must stay updated on new fees and other changes within the tourism landscape in specific countries. Here are some travel-friendly tips:
1. Plan for Higher Costs
With the new price changes on visas, departure taxes, and hotel bookings, there are new airfare prices to countries like Japan, Spain, and Italy, and Norway and these need to get factored into your trip and budget. Booking flights in advance and being flexible with travel dates can also help you save money during less busy travel days, typically in the middle of the week, and close to departure dates. Prominent airlines like ANA Iberia, and SAS provide discounts on these bookings.
2. Engage in Sustainable Tourism
Participating in eco-friendly sustainable travel is positive and uplifting. The impact that air travel and hotel stays can have on the environment can be lessened through the adoption of new and improved environmentally friendly practices and technologies. Japan Airlines offers eco-friendly options by using new fuel-efficient planes. Many hotels are adding environmentally responsible technologies as well. Sustainable travel lessens the negative impact tourism can have on the environment and the local communities of your destination.
3. Choose Longer Stays
If you want to skip high taxes imposed on day trips and want to better appreciate countries without the hassle of crowds, you should think about staying longer. Tourists staying over a number of consecutive days, such as those to Venice and Barcelona, enjoy discounts on hotel fees. Additionally, this move increases the chances of saving on the day trip tax, also referred to as the tourist tax.
4. Go to Different Locations
Japan, Spain, Italy, and Norway are all famed of incredible vacations, but not the only options to consider. If the tourist tax and crowds are a concern for you, there are more off-peak travel to pay. If you like Italy, instead of Venice, try the less popular Murano or Burano islands. In Norway, enjoy parks such as the Jotunheimen instead of the over crowded Lofoten islands if you enjoy hiking.
5. Watch for Promotions from Airlines and Hotels
Airlines and hotel chains have promotional campaigns to adjust to the new tax changes. If you are out or towards the off-peak Japanese travel season, Japan Airlines (JAL) will have promos to travelers. Luxury hotels also try to offset taxes, and in Venice and Barcelona, you will find hotels and taxes that also include attraction access for a full value package.
As global tourism rebounds post-pandemic, several countries, including Japan, Spain, Italy, and Norway, are implementing increased taxes and fees to curb overtourism and protect local economies. These measures aim to balance tourism’s economic benefits while fostering sustainable travel practices for the future.
Expectations: A New Era for Sustainable Tourism
With new taxations and fees, Japan, Spain, Italy, and Norway are trying to combat overtourism and shift the travel landscape. These new implementations try to protect the local economy as well as create a tourism model that is more economically and environmentally sustainable. Tourism will be more expensive for consumers, but they will get to experience a more sustainable version of the said country. Tourists can enjoy the best of what these companies have to offer, culture-wise and in terms of natural beauty, by making early bookings, going green, and checking out different places.
New tourism models are more environmentally conscious, and so are the travel companies. Tourists can make the experience much more memorable by staying at environmentally friendly hotels and using sustainable travel companies, like Japan Airlines or SAS.
The world is healing from the pandemic, and these changes are likely to create a future in travel that is more balanced and sustainable. So, pack your bags, prepare, and get ready to experience travel that is good for you as well as the world.
