
Singapore holds the most powerful passport in the world in 2025, yet again
Currently, Singaporeans enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 out of 227 destinations worldwide. That's a small drop from the 195 destinations listed in the January 2025 edition of the report, following changes in visa policies from Pakistan and Mauritania.
Hot on Singapore's heels are Japan and South Korea, sharing second place with visa-free access to 190 destinations. Meanwhile, third place is split among eight European nations – Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain – each offering access to 189 destinations.
These are the top 10 passports globally:
Singapore
Japan, South Korea
Denmark, Finland, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain
Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden
Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland
United Kingdom
Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, Poland
Canada, Estonia, United Arab Emirates
Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia
Iceland, United States, Lithuania

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Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer urged to give tourist tax powers to local leaders to boost public services
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has previously called for a mandatory 'tourist levy' for those visiting the city with Edinburgh already set to introduce a charge Keir Starmer should give local leaders powers to impose tourist taxes to help fund cash-strapped public services, a new report says. The Autonomy think-tank warns councils across the country lack the powers to respond to the strain on infrastructure caused by tourism. The report's authors say they should be able to establish "tourist taxes", which already exist in some areas of European holiday hotspots including Spain and France. They say: "Such a tax would begin to undo the heavy toll that UK Government austerity has heaped upon local councils over the last decade." It also calls for an "English right to roam" covering woodlands, rivers and the green belt. It follows a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has previously called for a mandatory "tourist levy" for those visiting the city with Edinburgh already set to introduce a charge to raise up to £50million-per-year from July 2026. There are also reports Deputy PM Angela Rayner has been pushing for councils to be allowed to tax tourism. But recently No10 said there are "no plans" for a tourist tax in England. "We have previously said there's no plans to introduce a tourism tax in England," the Prime Minister's official spokesman said. They added: "Places can already choose to introduce a levy on overnight stays through working with their local tourism sector, using the accommodation Business Improvement District model. "Tourism obviously plays an important role in the UK's economy. Inbound tourism is the UK's third largest service export. The UK is the seventh most-visited country in the world, and we're committed to continuing to support the sector." Will Stronge, Chief Executive at the Autonomy Institute, told The Mirror: "Tourism must no longer be treated as an extractive industry built on carbon-intensive travel and precarious labour. "That's why we're calling for, amongst other things, the introduction of a local tourist tax: a fair, targeted measure that would fund the maintenance of public services and protects natural environments. "It empowers communities to invest in the infrastructure they sustain but too often see exploited for private gain. This is a vital step toward reducing over-tourism, restoring democratic control, and ensuring that leisure contributes to - rather than undermines - climate and social goals."


ITV News
3 hours ago
- ITV News
'Cities are being short changed': Council leader urges government for a tourism tax in Bath
Plans to introduce a tourism tax in Bath have moved a step closer after councillors voted unanimously in support of it. Councillors at Bath and North East Somerset Council voted in favour of being able to introduce a tourism tax during a meeting on 17 July. The vote was in support of the principle of a tax, not on actually introducing one or how it would work. But what is a tourism tax and why is it being voted on? What is a tourism tax? A tourism tax is a levy on short-stay accommodation in a local authority area. Also known as a 'transient visitor levy', a tax of this kind gives local councils the chance to charge people visiting the area. The tax has been introduced in cities with significant tourism economies across the world including Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Vancouver. It's usually charge per occupied bed or room per night which can change depending on the accommodation providers and time of year. What are councillors in Bath and North East Somerset voting on? Councils in England do not yet have the power to introduce such a measure but authorities in Scotland do after the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 was passed last year. Bath and North East Somerset Council leader, Kevin Guy, has written to local government secretary Angela Rayner urging the government to give England's historic cities the same power. Mr Guy (Bathavon North, Liberal Democrat) said in a council meeting: 'We are not acting along and all we are doing is asking is for the government to give us a fair deal because, at the moment, English cities are being short changed.' Bath has six million visitors per year, bringing in half a billion pounds in local economic benefit and supporting 8,000 jobs, proposer of the motion Michelle Doherty (Newbridge, Liberal Democrat) told the meeting. She said: 'This motion is not about discouraging tourism. 'We really value our visitors and we want them to continue coming but like many European cities, we think visitors should make a small contribution towards the cost of keeping our city clean and safe and welcoming." She added: 'This isn't about creating a new huge revenue stream — although a modest charge per night could bring in a couple of million pounds per year for the council which would make a real difference given the pressures on our budgets.' How would a tourism tax work? A tourism tax is expected to take the form of an additional charge on overnight stays paid by the visitor to the local council. The letter from Mr Guy and the leader of Cambridge City Council to the government spoke of 'a tourist levy associated with overnight stays.' The letter states: 'The revenue generated could be reinvested into the community, improving facilities and services for both residents and visitors.' Mr Guy said: 'Any levy should apply fairly across all types of accommodation, including short-term lets such as Airbnb.' Some supporters say it would help fund infrastructure and local services in tourist hotspots, including the upkeep of footpaths, public toilets, and waste collections. Critics argue the charge could put visitors off and add pressure to businesses already dealing with costs and staffing challenges. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government said: "There are currently no plans to introduce a tourism tax in England. "Places can already choose to introduce a levy on overnight stays through working with their local tourism sector using the Accommodation Business Improvement District model."


Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Stirling hotel manager voices support for tourist tax if funds are used wisely
Stirling Council is currently seeking feedback on the draft Visitor Levy scheme for the area, after it launched a public consultation on the issue last month. The manager of one of Stirling's most popular hotels has suggested that the city's proposed ' tourist tax ' on overnight stays could be beneficial, provided the funds raised are used appropriately. Stirling Council is currently seeking public opinion on the draft Visitor Levy scheme for the area, following a public consultation launched last month. Under new powers granted by the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, the draft scheme proposes a five per cent levy on overnight stays across all forms of paid visitor accommodation within the Stirling Council area. The scheme would include several exemptions specific to Stirling, including residents of Stirling Council, those receiving carers' allowance and visitors staying more than seven nights (through reimbursement), as well as a site exemption scheme for charitable and educational organisations, where the trip's primary purpose is charitable or educational. Barry Makin, the general manager of Sir Andy Murray's Cromlix Hotel, in Kinbuck, believes the move could be positive – provided the money is "well spent" and used locally. Speaking to the Stirling Observer, Mr Makin said: "I think the theory behind the levy is good in principle, if the money is spent well locally to improve things for visitors and also for local people." He further commented: "I've seen how it can work successfully in other European countries. In my opinion it's essential that the levy charge is clear to bookers at the point of booking and not just on the final bill so it's clear that this isn't a cost added by the hotel, but is something all travellers to Stirling would encounter." Local residents and other interested parties are invited to share their thoughts on the draft scheme via an online survey, with paper versions also available in Stirling Council libraries, until October 12. Businesses, accommodation providers, locals and tourists alike are also encouraged to provide feedback on the proposals at drop-in sessions scheduled across Stirling in September. The sessions include: Stirling's Albert Halls on September 9, from 11am-6pm; The John McLintock Hall, Balfron, on September 11, from 10am–6pm; Drymen Village hall on September 17, from 10am-6pm; Killin's McLaren Hall on September 23, from 10am-6pm; and Callander Youth Project Trust on September 29, from 10am-6pm. Last month, Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, urged everyone, from accommodation providers to residents and visitors, to provide feedback on the scheme to ensure it reflects the needs of all of Stirling. If approved, the 'tourist tax' would come into effect from June 1, 2027, and would apply to bookings made on or after January 1, 2027. In May, we reported that a hospitality trade body had warned that the proposed 'tourist tax' could potentially damage tourism in the region. Leon Thompson, Executive Director of UK Hospitality Scotland, said: "Hospitality and tourism is so important to Stirling, as a major employer and driver of the local economy. "That economic and social contribution to our communities must be protected and we fundamentally believe that introducing a visitor levy could harm tourism in Stirling. "That's why Stirling Council should carry out a detailed impact assessment to understand the potential impact on visitors, tourism and the economy, before it embarks further on potentially introducing a levy." That came after the Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers (ASSC) said last December that the introduction of a visitor levy scheme on tourists in Stirling would mean that small businesses could become "de-facto unpaid tax collectors". Fiona Campbell, ASSC chief executive, said the implementation of the tax must "be done right". In April, a campaign group against the proposals warned the move could see the city's hospitality sector left with high levels of cancellations. The Back British Holidays campaign has issued a warning that up to 21% of potential holidaymakers might cancel their trips due to the extra tariff. They also stated that another 21% would cut back on their spending during their holiday. The council previously estimated that a five per cent levy could generate as much as £7.5million.