Thailand Is Joining the Global Tourist Fee Wave: 5 Countries Already Charging Foreign Visitors From Japan to Bali and What This Means for Your Next Trip

Written By: Sarannya Acharya

Sarannya Acharya

Sarannya Acharya is a content writer with a strong academic and professional background in media and communication. She holds an M.Sc in Media Science and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Swami Vivekananda University, Barrackpore, with a specialization in Advertising. With over three years of experience in content writing, she brings a blend of research-driven insight and creative storytelling to her work. Alongside her professional role, she is actively engaged in academics, contributing to the field through teaching and scholarly involvement. Her expertise lies in crafting well-structured, engaging, and informative content, supported by a solid foundation in media theory and practical industry knowledge.

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August 13, 2026 4:45 AM

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Thailand is joining the global tourist fee wave, and foreign visitors are watching closely. Around the world, tourist fee policies are changing how travellers plan their trips. From Japan to Bali, countries and destinations already charge foreign visitors through different tourism fees, taxes, or conservation contributions. Thailand is now considering a similar approach, making the global tourist fee wave even more important for travellers. Meanwhile, Travel And Tour World urges readers to look beyond the headline and understand what these charges could mean. As travel costs evolve, knowing the rules can help every visitor plan smarter, budget better, and travel with confidence.

Countries Using Tourist Fees Similar to Thailand’s Proposed Visitor Charge

Thailand’s proposed tourist fee places the country within a wider international trend. Governments increasingly ask visitors to contribute directly toward tourism infrastructure, environmental protection, conservation, destination management or measures responding to rising visitor numbers.

For travellers, these charges can appear in different forms. Some are collected when entering a destination. Others are paid through visa applications, accommodation bills or departure procedures.

The important difference is that not every visitor levy works like Thailand’s proposed system. The amount, collection method and use of funds vary considerably.

1. Japan Raises Its International Tourist Tax as Visitor Numbers Surge

Japan provides one of the clearest examples of a country increasing a visitor-related charge while responding to tourism pressure. From July 1, 2026, Japan increased its International Tourist Tax from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per person. The charge applies when travellers depart Japan and covers both foreign visitors and Japanese nationals leaving the country. Japan’s Finance Ministry says the increase is intended to strengthen measures addressing overtourism, improve airport congestion management and support secondary transportation. For international travellers, this means the additional cost is generally incorporated into the travel payment process rather than collected as a separate entrance charge. The Japanese example is particularly relevant to Thailand because it shows how governments can connect visitor-related revenue with practical problems created by tourism growth. Travellers planning Japan trips should therefore include the international tourist tax when calculating their overall travel budget, particularly for departures from July 2026 onward.

2. New Zealand Collects NZ$100 From Most International Visitors

New Zealand has operated a more direct visitor contribution model through its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, commonly known as the IVL. Most international visitors pay NZ$100 when requesting an NZeTA or applying for a visa that includes the levy. New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says the money contributes toward maintaining tourism facilities and the natural environment used by visitors. The levy was increased substantially from NZ$35 to NZ$100 in October 2024. Government information says the 2025 Budget allocated NZ$55 million to the Department of Conservation and NZ$35 million to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment through IVL-related funding decisions. For travellers, New Zealand demonstrates how a visitor levy can be positioned as a contribution toward the infrastructure and environmental assets that make tourism possible. The charge is normally paid during the visa or NZeTA process.

3. Bali Charges International Tourists a One-Time Tourism Levy

Indonesia’s Bali province has created one of the most destination-specific visitor charges in the region. International tourists visiting Bali are required to pay a IDR 150,000 tourism levy per person. The official Love Bali platform states that the payment is required once during a visitor’s trip rather than repeatedly for each day of the stay. The levy has been in effect since February 14, 2024. Bali’s provincial government says the revenue supports the protection of Balinese cultural heritage and the island’s natural environment. This model is especially comparable with Thailand’s proposal because the payment specifically targets international tourists and links tourism revenue with destination protection. Bali’s experience also shows travellers that visitor charges can be designed at a regional level rather than necessarily being imposed across an entire country. Anyone entering Bali should therefore consider the levy as part of the destination’s current travel costs.

4. Bhutan Uses a High-Value Tourism Contribution Model

Bhutan takes a considerably different approach through its Sustainable Development Fee, or SDF. The fee is currently US$100 per night for visitors and forms an important part of Bhutan’s high-value, low-volume tourism strategy. Bhutan’s government says SDF revenue supports conservation, sustainability initiatives, infrastructure improvements and workforce development, alongside social-development priorities. Unlike Thailand’s proposed one-time visitor charge, Bhutan’s system is calculated according to the length of a traveller’s stay. Consequently, longer holidays create a larger financial contribution. Bhutan’s approach is designed around managing tourism quality and sustainability rather than simply maximising visitor volume. Its model demonstrates that tourism charges can become part of a country’s wider destination-management strategy. For travellers, the SDF is therefore an important expense to calculate before arranging accommodation, tours and other elements of a Bhutan itinerary.

5. Maldives Uses Green Tax to Fund Tourism-Linked Revenue

The Maldives has another established visitor-related tax through its Green Tax. The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority explains that the tax applies to tourists staying at resorts, hotels, tourist guesthouses, tourist vessels and other qualifying tourist establishments. The tax has been collected from different categories of tourist accommodation since 2015, with coverage expanding over subsequent years. Government revenue data shows that Green Tax remains a significant tourism-related revenue source. In March 2026, the Maldives collected MVR312 million in Green Tax, representing 7.7% of total revenue collected that month. In June 2026, Green Tax generated another MVR157 million, accounting for 5.4% of monthly revenue. For holidaymakers, the Maldives example demonstrates how visitor-related charges can be integrated into accommodation costs while supporting broader public revenue and environmental objectives.

What These Examples Mean for Thailand Travellers

These five destinations show that Thailand is not considering a tourism fee in isolation. Countries are increasingly using visitor contributions to respond to environmental pressures, infrastructure requirements, congestion and destination-management challenges.

However, Thailand’s proposed approach should not be directly compared with every international model. Japan charges travellers when they leave. New Zealand collects its levy during visa or NZeTA processing. Bali uses a one-time destination levy, while Bhutan calculates its contribution by night. The Maldives integrates Green Tax with tourist accommodation.

For travellers planning international holidays, the practical lesson is simple. A tourist fee can be small compared with flights and accommodation, but it can still affect the final trip budget.

Thailand’s proposal will therefore be worth watching closely as authorities determine its final amount, collection process and how the revenue will support tourism and visitor services.

Countries Using Tourist Fees Similar to Thailand’s Proposed Visitor Charge

Thailand’s proposed tourist fee places the country within a wider international trend. Governments increasingly ask visitors to contribute directly toward tourism infrastructure, environmental protection, conservation, destination management or measures responding to rising visitor numbers.

For travellers, these charges can appear in different forms. Some are collected when entering a destination. Others are paid through visa applications, accommodation bills or departure procedures.

The important difference is that not every visitor levy works like Thailand’s proposed system. The amount, collection method and use of funds vary considerably.

1. Japan Raises Its International Tourist Tax as Visitor Numbers Surge

Japan provides one of the clearest examples of a country increasing a visitor-related charge while responding to tourism pressure. From July 1, 2026, Japan increased its International Tourist Tax from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per person. The charge applies when travellers depart Japan and covers both foreign visitors and Japanese nationals leaving the country. Japan’s Finance Ministry says the increase is intended to strengthen measures addressing overtourism, improve airport congestion management and support secondary transportation. For international travellers, this means the additional cost is generally incorporated into the travel payment process rather than collected as a separate entrance charge. The Japanese example is particularly relevant to Thailand because it shows how governments can connect visitor-related revenue with practical problems created by tourism growth. Travellers planning Japan trips should therefore include the international tourist tax when calculating their overall travel budget, particularly for departures from July 2026 onward.

2. New Zealand Collects NZ$100 From Most International Visitors

New Zealand has operated a more direct visitor contribution model through its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, commonly known as the IVL. Most international visitors pay NZ$100 when requesting an NZeTA or applying for a visa that includes the levy. New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says the money contributes toward maintaining tourism facilities and the natural environment used by visitors. The levy was increased substantially from NZ$35 to NZ$100 in October 2024. Government information says the 2025 Budget allocated NZ$55 million to the Department of Conservation and NZ$35 million to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment through IVL-related funding decisions. For travellers, New Zealand demonstrates how a visitor levy can be positioned as a contribution toward the infrastructure and environmental assets that make tourism possible. The charge is normally paid during the visa or NZeTA process.

3. Bali Charges International Tourists a One-Time Tourism Levy

Indonesia’s Bali province has created one of the most destination-specific visitor charges in the region. International tourists visiting Bali are required to pay a IDR 150,000 tourism levy per person. The official Love Bali platform states that the payment is required once during a visitor’s trip rather than repeatedly for each day of the stay. The levy has been in effect since February 14, 2024. Bali’s provincial government says the revenue supports the protection of Balinese cultural heritage and the island’s natural environment. This model is especially comparable with Thailand’s proposal because the payment specifically targets international tourists and links tourism revenue with destination protection. Bali’s experience also shows travellers that visitor charges can be designed at a regional level rather than necessarily being imposed across an entire country. Anyone entering Bali should therefore consider the levy as part of the destination’s current travel costs.

4. Bhutan Uses a High-Value Tourism Contribution Model

Bhutan takes a considerably different approach through its Sustainable Development Fee, or SDF. The fee is currently US$100 per night for visitors and forms an important part of Bhutan’s high-value, low-volume tourism strategy. Bhutan’s government says SDF revenue supports conservation, sustainability initiatives, infrastructure improvements and workforce development, alongside social-development priorities. Unlike Thailand’s proposed one-time visitor charge, Bhutan’s system is calculated according to the length of a traveller’s stay. Consequently, longer holidays create a larger financial contribution. Bhutan’s approach is designed around managing tourism quality and sustainability rather than simply maximising visitor volume. Its model demonstrates that tourism charges can become part of a country’s wider destination-management strategy. For travellers, the SDF is therefore an important expense to calculate before arranging accommodation, tours and other elements of a Bhutan itinerary.

5. Maldives Uses Green Tax to Fund Tourism-Linked Revenue

The Maldives has another established visitor-related tax through its Green Tax. The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority explains that the tax applies to tourists staying at resorts, hotels, tourist guesthouses, tourist vessels and other qualifying tourist establishments. The tax has been collected from different categories of tourist accommodation since 2015, with coverage expanding over subsequent years. Government revenue data shows that Green Tax remains a significant tourism-related revenue source. In March 2026, the Maldives collected MVR312 million in Green Tax, representing 7.7% of total revenue collected that month. In June 2026, Green Tax generated another MVR157 million, accounting for 5.4% of monthly revenue. For holidaymakers, the Maldives example demonstrates how visitor-related charges can be integrated into accommodation costs while supporting broader public revenue and environmental objectives.

What These Examples Mean for Thailand Travellers

These five destinations show that Thailand is not considering a tourism fee in isolation. Countries are increasingly using visitor contributions to respond to environmental pressures, infrastructure requirements, congestion and destination-management challenges.

However, Thailand’s proposed approach should not be directly compared with every international model. Japan charges travellers when they leave. New Zealand collects its levy during visa or NZeTA processing. Bali uses a one-time destination levy, while Bhutan calculates its contribution by night. The Maldives integrates Green Tax with tourist accommodation.

For travellers planning international holidays, the practical lesson is simple. A tourist fee can be small compared with flights and accommodation, but it can still affect the final trip budget.

Thailand’s proposal will therefore be worth watching closely as authorities determine its final amount, collection process and how the revenue will support tourism and visitor services.

Conclusion

Thailand’s proposed tourist fee highlights a growing shift in global travel. From Japan and Bali to Bhutan, New Zealand and the Maldives, foreign visitors increasingly contribute toward tourism, conservation and destination management. While these charges can raise holiday costs, governments argue that they can also support better infrastructure, environmental protection and visitor services. For travellers, the key is preparation. Thailand’s final fee, collection method and implementation date should be confirmed before making travel plans. Travel And Tour World urges visitors to monitor official updates, compare total trip costs and understand local requirements before departure. This evolving trend could shape how travellers budget for international holidays in the years ahead.