A federal appeals court temporarily blocked Hawaii from enforcing a new climate change tourist tax on cruise ships, which was set to start in 2026, after a lawsuit argued it violated the U.S. Constitution and would increase cruise costs. The law, aimed at raising nearly $100 million annually to address climate-related issues, is now under appeal, with enforcement halted pending the case's resolution.
A federal judge has allowed Hawaii's new climate change tax, which includes an 11% levy on cruise ship passengers, to take effect in 2026, despite legal challenges arguing it violates constitutional rights and could harm tourism; Hawaii aims to use the revenue to address climate-related issues like erosion and wildfires.
Protesters in Barcelona and Mallorca are spraying tourists with water guns to protest overtourism, which is causing rising rents and displacement of residents. The protests highlight local frustrations over the impact of tourism on housing and community life, with some cities implementing taxes and restrictions to curb visitor numbers.
Japan has implemented a tourist tax at the popular Itsukushima Shrine in an effort to combat overtourism. Each visitor to the shrine's access point on Miyajima island is now charged 100 yen ($0.67), with the funds going towards improving tourism infrastructure and encouraging ecotourism in the area. The tax was originally scheduled to roll out in 2021 but was delayed due to the pandemic. The initiative aims to create a hospitable environment for tourists while securing the livelihood of islanders and preserving the shrine for future generations.
