Japan weighs steep travel tax increase to fight overtourism. Will it work?
Experts say charging departing passengers more won’t effectively solve the problem, calling for sweeping plans to manage visitor influx
The existing fee, which is 1,000 yen (US$6.64) per person, could go up to 5,000 yen (US$33.20), as a committee of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party deliberates on the matter and how to spend the extra income.
The government’s move was in part motivated by other nations like Egypt and Australia that charge outbound passengers about 3,750 yen and 7,000 yen, respectively, the Yomiuri newspaper reported.
Japan’s travel industry admitted that tackling overtourism should be prioritised but expressed reservations over quintupling the tax introduced in January 2019, seeking a comprehensive plan to discourage visitors from clogging popular holiday spots.
“I do not believe this is the most appropriate course of action,” said Kei Tamura, director of Kyoto-based Cerca Travel Co.
“I understand why the government believes it needs to do this and that we do have an issue with certain cities being too busy at particular times of the year.”