In what would be a huge blow for Brits, the insatiably popular Balearic Islands are mulling over a new tourist tax rule that would heavily penalise one specific type of traveller
Brits wanting to sun it up in the Balearic Islands could soon be stung by new tourist tax rules. The insatiable Spanish trio of Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca attract more than 15 million international visitors every single year – with UK tourists dominating the market.
This saturation has led to a string of anti-tourism protests from fed-up locals who argue they’ve been priced out of the property market – and are having their homeland ruined by drunken and rowdy travellers. To tackle this escalating issue, Balearic president Marga Prohens formally presented the ‘tourism containment measures’.
If approved by the regional parliament, this could see the tourist tax, also referred to as the Sustainable Tourism Tax, rise from €1 to €2.5 per day at the lowest rate and from €4 to a maximum of €6 per day. According to local media, cruise ships will pay the maximum rate, rising from €2 to €6 during the summer months.
Under the proposed rules, a fortnight trip to the Spanish islands in peak season could cost an extra €56 – while two cruise passengers would face fees of €112 if they were to spend every night on one of the islands. For families, it is thought that those under the age of 16 will be exempt from the charge.
Other proposals include upping the penalties for illegal tourist accommodation by 25 per cent to a staggering €500,000 while a new tax has been slated for temporary hire cars that are on the islands for less than six months a year. “Depending on their emissions and the time they are in circulation, the amount will vary between 30 and 80 euros,” reports Majorca Daily Bulletin. “Residents of the Balearics will have to pay the tax if they stay in tourist establishments in the islands as they have done until now, but will be able to deduct up to 250 euros from the amount through their tax return.”
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Despite calls for tourists to ‘go home’, it appears Brits haven’t been deterred by locals’ protests. In fact, data published last week showed that holiday bookings to the Balearics soared by a staggering 17.6 per cent over the past week (compared to the previous week) – a 21.2 per cent spike compared to the same days last year.
The spike in reservations mainly comes from Spaniards, who make up almost half (47.9 per cent) of bookings. However, Brits came second (25 per cent) by a good stretch, far outnumbering the amount of German (3.7 per cent) and American (3.5 per cent) visitors.
Would an increased tourist tax stop you from visiting Spain? Have your say in the comments section below