Thanks for your accounts. I am hearing frustration with examples so far of taxation rates on basic travel services in the range of 35%. I would be interested in hearing other accounts.

My point is that these already excessively high and unfair taxation rates are going to continue to climb as long as travelers and the travel industry are resigned to feeling powerless against them. I do not know where the point of rebellion comes -- perhaps when we are paying as much if not more on taxes than the actual services?

Finally while many of us can personally afford the extra cost I know it will increasingly preclude the elderly, students and families of more modest means from being able to afford these experiences. I know it would have when I was growing up.