It
might cost you even more to take that trip to paradise. Hawaii,
which already has one of the most expensive occupancy tax rates in the country,
is considering a visitor
fee when the next legislative session begins in the new year.
There
is a proposal to charge visitors a climate impact fee, or a green fee.
Natural
disasters and the subsequent high rental fees have devastated the state’s
tourism economy. It has the endorsement of Governor Josh Green, who has long
been an advocate of charging such a fee to bolster Hawaii’s environment.
Hawaii
can pattern itself after New Zealand, which last week more
than doubled the amount of its tourist tax. It is a growing trend to ensure
that tourists pay their fair share for the use of the environment and
infrastructure.
The
measure was defeated by the Hawaii Legislature earlier this year. Critics say
that adding another fee would actually discourage tourism.
But
Hawaii’s Dawn Chang, Chair of the state Department of Land and Natural
Resources (DLNR), said: “Next year, the year of 2025, the governor is going to
declare that, ‘The year of climate action’ and I think there will be a
concerted effort to advocate for the green fee at the next legislative session.”
Green
has declared 2025 as “The Year of Climate Action.”
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