Travellers who are planning a trip to popular destinations Spain, Greece and Tunisia are being warned that they could be paying “hundreds of pounds” more, according to an easyJet’s boss.
Garry Wilson, chief executive of easyJet, has spoken out about the environmental fees which have been introduced to tourist hotspots.
Wilson claimed there was a failure to demonstrate a “direct link” between the money raised and sustainability schemes thereby reducing the amount of bookings.
Affordable destinations favoured by Brits such as Spain, Greece and Tunisia, are just some of the countries where UK tourists have to pay green taxes or are planning to introduce them.
Speaking to Abta, Wilson said many countries have suffered from huge losses due to Covid travel restrictions. This has led to tourists paying “this fee and that fee and the next fee”.
Wilson said: “They’re named the ‘green tax’ or ‘climate resilience’ or whatever it might be. While I understand the ethos, (we need to) understand what you’re doing with that money.”
Wilson added it would be “understandable” if taxes were brought in with a “direct link” to schemes such as switching off air-conditioning or lights when tourists aren’t in their rooms.
However, if the money just “goes into a big pot”, it will leave travellers thinking “this is just a way to get more money out of me”.
Wilson said: “There has to be real thought put into what impact this is going to have on demand. The way it’s being treated at the moment by a lot of destinations isn’t necessarily helping build confidence and demand.”
Mark Tanzer, chief executive at Abta said: “The ultimate goal for travel is to have great places to visit that are also great places to live.
“If a destination intends to introduce a visitor charge as part of its tourism management, it needs to make clear how that money is going back to support the community and local people.
“Otherwise, these charges will only serve to add costs to consumers, without addressing the tourism issues important to local residents.”
It comes as easyJet has announced an update as part of its holiday package brand for winter 2025.
The low-cost airline has put holidays on sale for next year which will see travellers be able to book beach and city packages up until March 31, 2026.
Holidaymakers can choose from more than 900 hotels in 30 destinations with the airline.
For Brits who are looking to plan ahead and say goodbye to the colder temperatures in the UK, easyJet holidays is offering packages to winter sun destinations including the Canary Islands, Egypt, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia.
