A night on a European cruise is taxed almost half as much as a night in a hotel despite their high environmental costs and contribution to overtourism, a new study has found.
The NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) found that a loophole allows cruise liners to avoid paying VAT and fuel taxes, among other things.
The organisation is calling for tax reforms to ensure that ships “pay their fair share”.
Cruises have ‘same benefits as freight transport’
A night on a cruise ship is taxed 40% less than a hotel, the T&E study shows. That is despite their high environmental and climate costs, and the strain they put on local infrastructure.
