A wave of new climate-conscious tourism fees could play a vital role in protecting some of the world’s most cherished – yet fragile – destinations.
Your next getaway might cost more than you anticipated – and inflation isn’t the only reason. Across the globe, more destinations are implementing climate-focused charges on hotel bookings, ferry rides, and entry to national parks or other protected sites.
While the idea of paying extra for a trip may seem discouraging, these fees could be crucial in helping your favourite spots withstand the challenges of rising seas, extreme heat, and climate-driven disasters.
In August 2023, for example, wildfires tore through Lahaina – Maui’s historic heart – killing 102 people and destroying over 2,000 buildings. Fueled by drought and hurricane-force winds, it became one of the deadliest climate-related wildfires in US history.
In May, Hawaii made history by introducing the US’s first tourist tax directly linked to the climate crisis. Called the Green Fee, it adds 0.75% to existing accommodation taxes and is projected to generate \$100 million annually starting in 2026, funding wildfire recovery, reef restoration, and climate adaptation projects.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said the measure addresses the strain of welcoming 10 million visitors each year and is part of a broader plan to tackle the growing threat of natural disasters.
“This isn’t just an extra charge,” explained Susan Fazekas, a Maui-based hiking guide and owner of Awapuhi Adventures, in an interview with the BBC. “People visit for the waterfalls, reefs, and rainforest trails – but these treasures are under pressure. Asking visitors to help care for them isn’t a burden; it’s an opportunity to be part of their preservation. It’s also about honouring the kuleana (shared responsibility) we all hold in safeguarding Hawaii’s future.”
With climate-related disasters becoming more frequent, destinations worldwide are beginning to rethink how tourism revenue is collected – and how it can be used to protect the places travellers love.
In January 2024, Greece replaced its overnight stay tax with a Climate Crisis Resilience Fee, charging travellers between €0.50 and €10 per night depending on hotel class and season. Popular islands like Mykonos and Santorini apply surcharges of up to €20 per person during peak periods. The initiative is expected to generate €400 million annually, earmarked for water infrastructure, disaster prevention, and ecosystem restoration.
Other destinations are following suit. Bali introduced a 150,000 rupiah (£6.88) fee for international travellers in 2024 to fund environmental protection. The Maldives, which has had a nightly “Green Tax” since 2015, doubled it in January 2025 to \$12 (€9) per person in most resorts, with proceeds funding waste management and coastal resilience. New Zealand’s International Visitor Levy, first introduced in 2019, nearly tripled in 2024 to around NZD \$100 (£45), supporting conservation projects and sustainable tourism infrastructure nationwide.
While these fees are relatively small compared to overall travel costs, their potential impact can be significant—if managed transparently. Dr Rachel Dodds, professor of tourism management at Toronto Metropolitan University, notes that clarity is key: “Tourism taxes can be an easy source of income for sustainability or climate initiatives, but transparency is essential to ensure the money actually goes to those initiatives.”
Some destinations are already leading by example. The Maldives issues monthly Green Fund reports detailing exactly how revenue is spent on coastal protection, waste treatment, and water access. New Zealand publishes annual reports on its visitor levy, highlighting projects such as restoring Cathedral Cove’s storm-damaged trails and upgrading the New Zealand Cycle Trails to make them more climate-resilient. Hawaii is also building transparency into its new Green Fee, with its Climate Advisory Team producing a 60-page resilience plan based on extensive community input, data analysis, and expert consultation.
Travellers appear ready to contribute—if they trust where the money is going. Booking.com’s 2024 Sustainable Travel Report found that 75% of global travellers want to travel more sustainably, and 71% hope to leave destinations better than they found them. Euromonitor’s 2023 study showed nearly 80% are willing to pay at least 10% more for sustainable travel options.
For many, the purpose behind the fee matters as much as the amount. Japanese traveller Maho Tanaka, planning a trip to Hawaii, says a small charge like 0.75%—about \$3 on a \$400 stay—feels reasonable if it protects the islands’ beaches and forests. Similarly, Chinese traveller Zixuan Liu, who visited Greece after its fee was introduced, says they would gladly pay more if they knew the funds were being used responsibly.
However, experts caution that sustainability shouldn’t be treated as an optional extra. “We need to bake sustainability into operations so that travellers choose it by default,” says Christopher Imbsen, Vice President of Research and Sustainability at the World Travel & Tourism Council. “It shouldn’t be a premium or an added layer of complexity—it should be the obvious choice.”
Ultimately, climate-linked tourist taxes represent more than just funding—they signal a shift in the social contract of travel. Tourism has long been extractive, with visitors arriving, consuming, and leaving. In today’s climate-challenged world, that model is no longer viable. These modest fees encourage a move from consumption to collaboration, inviting travellers to actively participate in the preservation of the places they visit.
For Hawaii guide Susan Fazekas, responsible tourism means slowing down, embracing smaller crowds, and fostering deeper respect for culture and nature. It’s about education, reducing impact, and creating opportunities to give back—rather than just “taking a photo and leaving.”
Yes, your next trip might cost a little more. But that extra €10 or \$20 could help ensure these remarkable destinations remain for generations to come.
