A Which? investigation reveals that major tourist attractions worldwide are increasingly implementing dual pricing, charging British and other non-EU visitors significantly more than locals or EU citizens. From the Louvre in Paris to US national parks, these 'tourist-only' fees can add substantial costs to summer holidays.
Britons are facing significantly higher entry fees at popular international tourist attractions this summer due to the increasing implementation of 'differential' or 'dual' pricing systems that charge foreign and non-EU visitors more than local or EU citizens.
According to consumer watchdog Which? , these 'tourist-only' fees are becoming 'commonplace' across various attractions including museums, hiking routes, and private beaches. A prominent example is the Louvre in Paris, which raised its price for non-European Economic Area visitors from €22 to €32 last year, meaning British tourists now pay €10 more than their EU counterparts to see masterpieces like the Mona Lisa.
The museum, which receives about 8.7 million visitors annually, now requires non-EEA visitors to state their country of origin during online booking and to provide nationality-verifying ID if purchasing tickets on-site. This two-tier pricing is also evident at other French sites; for instance, the Palace of Versailles costs €35 for non-EEA tourists, which is €3 higher than the price for French and EEA citizens, while Sainte-Chapelle charges £22 for Brits compared to €16 for EEA tourists.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati has defended the practice, stating in January that she wants non-EU visitors to pay more to help fund national heritage renovations, adding, 'The French are not meant to pay for everything all by themselves.
' In Italy, similar policies are in place. Non-residents of Rome must now pay €2 for a closer view of the Trevi Fountain, and Venice imposes a €5 day-tripper fee on tourists not staying overnight in the Veneto region during peak season. Portugal's Madeira has introduced €3 fees for non-residents over 12 on more than 30 popular hiking trails, with a €50 fine for non-payment.
In Spain's Canary Islands, hikers in Teide National Park must purchase a permit ranging from €10 to €25 depending on the route and whether a guide is included; locals and Canary Island residents are exempt or pay reduced prices. Even the United States has adopted such measures.
Non-USA residents now face additional fees of $100 for a single-entry pass or $250 for a multi-visit pass to the 11 most popular national parks, including Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, on top of standard entrance fees. The Department of the Interior introduced this surcharge 'to put American families first,' with Secretary Doug Burgum explaining that it ensures US taxpayers continue to enjoy affordable access while international visitors contribute their fair share to park maintenance. Naomi Leach of Which?
Travel warns that these quietly introduced charges can add hundreds of pounds to a trip's cost, advising Britons to research attraction pricing in advance, seek out free-entry days, and consider using cards with no foreign transaction fees
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