I used to think that was the case. Clearly because a lot of travel is done by businesses it has been an easy target for governments looking for easy money. I do agree with LuvAirFrance that the highest taxes seem to be in the very popular destinations where governments feel they have the most captive audiences.

For personal travel especially for families these usurious taxes are becoming oppressive. I started this thread because if there is no resistance from the travel community including the travel companies themselves these taxes will continue to accelerate because it is such an easy target. As members of a community that believes in the benefits of travel for young and old-- what they are doing is wrong. In this difficult economy it will result in more "staycations".The people who live and vote in these very high tax communities whose jobs depend on the travel industry better help their local officials understand the implication of these policies.