A reader sent us a tip that Malta is significantly increasing tourism-related fees, in fact, multiplying them, from January 1, 2027.
The Maltese government doesn’t call these tourism taxes but is rather “greenwashing” the fee and calls it an eco-contribution.
The tourism tax started at 50 euro cents per person per night, and it rose to 1.50 this year and will be a whopping 8 euros per person per night from next year. This is for hotels and is capped at 64 euros per person per stay.
The fee is even higher for flats, such as Airbnbs, where it will be 10 euros per person per night, up to 80 euros per stay.
Note that the fee applies to every person 18 or older.
Other fees will also increase for tourists and will be significantly higher than for Maltese residents.
The government expects these fees to increase revenue by about 200 million euros from next year.
Conclusion
A reader noted that these fees are especially onerous off-season when the accommodation on the island (or islands) can be very reasonably priced.
The government should have a more scaled fee depending on the season, and why call this an eco-contribution unless the plan is to attract fewer tourists?
I was in Malta this past summer for a few nights (my second time), and it really isn’t a destination I’d return too often, or I would need to explore other islands.
It is easy to tax tourists because they don’t vote in local elections, but they can always vote with their wallets, so politicians need to tread carefully.