Italy could hike tourist tax to 25 euros a night for most expensive hotel stays

Italian cities could reportedly impose a charge of up to €25 (£21) for visitors to stay per night as part of increasingly draconian laws to stop over-tourism.

A strengthening of the law would permit cities to hike their so-called tourist tax from the current €5 maximum for overnight stays made by both foreigners and Italians.

Daniela Santanchè, Italy ’s tourism minister, revealed she is considering the proposals in a tweet from her official account on Friday .

“In times of over-tourism, we are debating this so that it really helps improve services and make tourists who pay it more responsible,” she said.

It is understood that the proposal would target hotel rooms.

The Financial Times has reported that the tax of €1 to €5 per person, per night could be extended up to €25.

That top rate would only be added to the top end of hotel rooms - of €750 or more.

The Telegraph has said it will break down accordingly.

This will mean that prices are €5 per room per night for a room under €100; €10 per night for rooms costing €100-€399; and €15 for rooms priced at €400-€749.

While it is only the wealthiest who would pay the highest level of tax, local representatives have expressed worries that it could put people off coming.

Barbara Casillo, director of Italian hotel chain Confindustria Alberghi, told local media: “We must tread very carefully.

“If we scare travellers who come to us by giving the impression that we want to take what we can, we are not doing a good service to the country.”

The potential move follows tourists increasingly being dissuaded from visiting by locals, with protests seen this summer in Barcelona and the Canary Islands as well as other places.

In June, Barcelona announced it will bar apartment rentals to tourists by 2028 in an effort to make housing more affordable for residents.

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