Travel is only really getting more expensive – there are obviously still great destinations to head to on a budget, but the reality is that if you’re going on holiday abroad, you’ll likely end up forking out quite a lot of cash in fees.
We reported recently that visitors will soon have to pay to enter the EU as the bloc rolls out its European Travel Information and Authorisation System, and now, the UK is returning the favour.
That’s because the electronic travel authorization system, which was originally introduced for Qatar nationals, is expanding to apply to nationals (including babies and children) from all other countries. It applies to people without a visa and costs £10 (€11.86).
The expansion will begin by including the US from November, but over the next year people from pretty much everywhere else will be subject to it – Ireland is the only exception. Right now, travellers from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are subject to the ETA.
So, why is this happening? UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper released this statement: ‘Once fully rolled out, the ETA scheme will close the current gap in advance permissions and mean that for the first time, we will have a comprehensive understanding of those travelling to the UK.’
The inclusion of EU travellers wouldn’t have happened without Brexit, but schemes like this actually aren’t new. Anyone who’s been to the US will know – their ESTAs, which cost around £16 (€19), were first introduced back in 2009.
Here’s a roundup of all the countries upping their tourist taxes this year.
Did you see that you might soon have to pre-book to view one of Italy’s most-visited attractions?
Plus: This is officially Asia’s best city break destination in 2024.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news.