Danish tourism minister drops push for tourist tax

Denmark’s new tourism minister, Signe Munk, has signalled the government will not pursue a national tourist tax, despite her party SF advocating for one last year.

Speaking to DR, Munk said the government would instead focus on a passenger fee for cruise ships, citing pressure in areas where large numbers of visitors arrive at once. She emphasised supporting sustainable, year-round tourism that respects local communities.

“I don’t believe a fee alone could ever solve this,” Munk said.

The shift disappoints SF colleagues like Niels Rasmussen, a council member in Ringkøbing-Skjern, who argued last year for a tax on hotel stays to fund infrastructure strained by visitors. “We need more money to develop tourism sustainably,” he told DR, noting costs for roads, nature, and public facilities.

Christian Lorenzen, a Conservative council member on Fanø, called the reversal “regrettable” and accused SF of prioritising Copenhagen’s interests over rural areas. Fanø, with 3,300 residents, hosts nearly 900,000 overnight stays annually.

In Varde, Venstre’s deputy mayor Poul Burgaard welcomed the decision, calling it “a wise move” and noting the difference between opposition proposals and governing responsibility.

SF’s 2025 proposal to allow municipalities to levy local tourist taxes was defeated in parliament, with 92 votes against and 17 in favour.