Money for nature conservation
Will Hawaii soon have a tourist tax?
Is the natural paradise of Hawaii in danger? To better protect it, another tax could soon be due on tourists.
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The US state and island paradise of Hawaii is currently considering another fee for tourists. What the plans say.
In addition to the usual expenses for travel and accommodation, tourists already have to pay a so-called “Transient Accommodations Tax” of over ten percent, which is even increased by a further three percent in the city of Honolulu. This can result in a surcharge of more than $50 per night, as the financial portal “Money” calculates.
Current considerations could make trips to Hawaii even more expensive because, according to media reports, the state is planning to introduce another fee for tourists. According to the considerations, the so-called “green fee” should be a fixed amount of 50 US dollars.
Like, among other things, that “Wall Street Journal” reports, all visitors aged 15 and over should pay a green fee, which gives them access to all parks, beaches and hiking trails on the Hawaiian islands for one year. Please note that this additional fee does not replace the regular admission price for popular attractions or parks, but is in addition to it. The draft law is now being discussed in the US House of Representatives.
Mass tourism is putting a strain on the environment: Hawaii wants to take countermeasures
Like many other holiday regions around the world, Hawaii is struggling with the negative effects of mass tourism on the environment. Although only around one percent of the state budget is invested annually in preserving the ecosystems, they play a crucial role in the islands’ tourist attractiveness. With the introduction of the green fee, the income is to be invested in environmental protection projects such as the protection of coral reefs, the native flora and fauna as well as measures against pollution of the beaches.
A general entry fee was originally planned, but was scrapped due to constitutional concerns, according to the local portal “Mauinow” reported. The idea of charging a fee for the use of all parks, beaches and hiking trails is now intended to get around this problem.