Cities in Italy could hike tourist taxes to up to €25 per night if new proposals get the go-ahead.

Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè tweeted on Friday to say she is considering increasing the per-night tax from its current level of between €1 and €5.

The tweet said: “In times of over-tourism, we are debating this so that it really helps improve services and make tourists who pay it more responsible.”

The Financial Times says the tax could go up to €25 on the most expensive hotel rooms and laws may be changed to allow cities to use the proceeds to fund local public services.

It said the tax could rise to €5 per room per night for a room costing less than €100; €10 per night for a room costing €100-€399; €15 for a room costing €400-€749 and €25 per night for rooms of €750 and more.

But the Minister has been warned to ‘tread very carefully’ by one hotel chain.

Barbara Casillo, Director of Italian hotel chain Confindustria Alberghi, told local media: “We must tread very carefully. 

“If we scare travellers who come to us by giving the impression that we want to take what we can, we are not doing a good service to the country.”