Hawaii increases tourism tax for climate: first such law in US

Hawaii, for the first time in US history, has passed a law to increase tourism tax to finance measures to combat climate change.

This is reported by The Guardian.

The initiative has the support of the state governor, Josh Green, who is expected to sign the document in the near future.

The innovation provides for an increase in the tax on short-term accommodation (in hotels and rented apartments) by 0.75%, to 11%. In addition, a new 11% tax is being introduced on cruise ship services, which will be calculated depending on the number of days spent in Hawaiian ports.

These measures are expected to bring the state about USD 100 million annually. The funds received will be used to restore beaches, protect buildings from hurricanes and clear areas of dry vegetation - factors that have already affected large-scale fires, including in Lahaina in 2023.

Currently, the total tax burden on tourists is up to 18.7% - one of the highest in the United States. However, the governor is confident that most guests will not object, because they come precisely for the sake of nature - and will support its protection.

The law may be finally adopted by July 9, 2025.

Recall that in Japan, they are going to make it a paid climb to Mount Fuji during the most popular periods of the season in order to reduce the flow of tourists. This is how the country's authorities take care of the preservation of the UNESCO monument.