The latest proposal from Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, will charge a $25 fee to all travelers checking into hotels or short-term rentals.
This proposal, outlined in the governor’s 2024 State of the State address, aims to generate over $68 million in revenue each year. The money would be used to invest in beach preservation, fire breaks, and other prevention measures.
According to Governor Green, the fee is a “modest” ask from visitors and is an effort to protect Hawaii’s natural resources, such as beaches, forests, and waterfalls. He believes it’s important for tourists to understand and contribute to the impacts of climate change on the island.
Hawaii’s governor proposed reforms concerning taxes for tourists and vacation rentals in his State of the State address. Green proposed a new fee on tourists and reiterated his pledge to initiate a potential moratorium on short-term rentals in West Maui. https://t.co/YcPS4HwySX
— Skift (@skift) January 25, 2024
However, this isn’t the first time Hawaii has explored the idea of a visitor fee. Last year, there were discussions about implementing a visitor impact fee program and charging travelers for a license to visit a state park, forest, hiking trail, or other natural areas.
Some might argue that Hawaii already has high tourism taxes, with a 10.25 percent transient accommodations tax and an additional 3 percent surcharge for Oahu. But Governor Green acknowledges this and is open to other proposals, such as increasing the transient accommodation tax instead.
Hawaii Governor Renews Call To Charge Visitors A Climate Impact Fee: Green’s latest proposal calls for a one-time payment of $25 when checking into a hotel or rental unit, but it could also involve an increase to the hotel tax. https://t.co/OAQ4SUru8L #HInews
— Honolulu Civil Beat (@CivilBeat) January 23, 2024
This proposal by Governor Green is apparently not just about raising revenue, but also about combatting over-tourism.
The governor’s proposed fee is not set in stone yet, so we can expect more discussions and debates on this topic in the coming months. As always, we will keep you updated on any developments regarding this proposal.
While Hawaii may be the latest destination to consider charging a visitor fee, it is not alone. Venice, Italy will start selling tickets for day visitors this spring and Iceland plans to charge a fee to support their climate and sustainability goals.
