New tourist taxes

This item appears on page 4 of the February 2019 issue.

• In Japan, as of Jan. 7, 2019, a departure tax of ¥1,000 (near $9) is being charged to any traveler departing the country by air or sea.

• As of January, each passenger arriving in Amsterdam, Netherlands, by cruise ship is being taxed 6 (near $7) for a one-day visit or, for an overnight stay, even if it's on the ship, 8 per day, starting on the day of the ship's arrival. This tax is included in the cruise fare.

Due to the tax, MSC Cruises and Cruise & Maritime Voyages have changed their 2019 and 2020 cruise itineraries to land at Rotterdam instead of Amsterdam. As of press time, no other major cruise lines had announced a similar schedule change.

• The Italian government approved, on Dec. 31, 2018, Venice's proposal to tax each visitor a city-entry fee. At press time, Venetian officials were expected to begin taxing visitors 2.50 to 5 each, possibly increasing that to 10 (near $11.50) in peak season (summer).

For an overnight visitor, the tax may be added to his hotel cost, and, though it had not been confirmed at press time, for day trippers the charge may be added to bus, train or cruise/ferry fees. Locals, workers and students will not be charged.

• As of Oct. 1 in New Zealand, a tax of NZD35 (near $23) is being charged to any traveler arriving from a country other than Australia. (Anyone arriving from Australia will not be taxed.)