European, Okinawa Cities Introduce Tourist Taxes to Fund Infrastructure, Conservation

European destinations are increasingly adopting various forms of tourist taxes to manage the challenges of overtourism and generate funds for local infrastructure and preservation. Edinburgh became the first Scottish council to impose a 5% tourist tax on accommodation bookings starting in July 2026, with several other Scottish regions considering or rejecting similar levies. In the Netherlands, the small village of Zaanse Schans, overwhelmed by 2.6 million visitors annually, will introduce a £15 entry fee in spring 2026 to help maintain its historic windmills and improve local facilities, while restricting visitor numbers to protect residents' quality of life. Additionally, European cities are implementing unconventional taxes, such as a proposed transit tax on motorists in Switzerland and a dog tax in Bolzano, Italy, aimed at addressing specific tourism-related strains. Similarly, Okinawa, Japan, plans to introduce a 2% accommodation tax from April 2026 to support natural site preservation and tourism safety enhancements amid rising visitor numbers. These measures reflect a broader trend of destinations seeking to balance tourism benefits with the sustainability of local communities and environments.