Ibiza and Majorca to hit tourists with extra fees for travelling in peak season from next year
HOLIDAYMAKERS travelling to the Balearic Islands will see the tourist tax rise next year.
In a bid to combat overtourism, local government officials in the Balearics announced a tourist tax rise.
Brit holidaymakers heading to Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera will pay more tourist tax in June, July and August.
While the exact figure hasn’t been announced, the tourist tax in the high season is set to increase, according to the Balearic President, Marga Prohens.
The new measure, which has been dubbed an “eco-tax” was announced during the General Policy Debate of the Community.
Local government officials have yet to determine the exact increase in tourist charges.
This is because the Balearic Government is looking for formulas so that residents will not pay the “eco-tax” through tax deductions.
Tourist tax charges during the low season (December, January and February) could be reduced in a bid to encourage more visitors to the islands in the colder months of the year.
It is not yet known if the low-season tourist charge will remain at its present level (making it lower than the proposed charge) or be reduced further.
Visitors to the Spanish islands currently have to pay the same level of tourist tax throughout the whole year, whether low or high season.
Current tourist charges cost anything up to €5 a night extra, payable on arrival, depending on the quality of the accommodation.
Balearic President, Marga Prohens also announced other tourist restrictions, such as limiting the number of rental properties for holidaymakers.
All new tourist rental places in all multi-family homes are set to be banned as part of the tourism measures.
Properties that already rent to tourists won’t be impacted by the announcement.
In a statement, Marga Prohens added: “The discomfort of residents due to the externalities of tourism is increasingly unanimous and transversal.
“This summer‘s demonstrations are a test, and we cannot put ourselves in profile because we listen to everyone.”
Despite the measures, the Balearic President stressed the importance of the tourism sector for the islands, by adding: “we are a hospitable land where tourists are welcome”.
A law is set to be approved in February, which will bring the measures into force.
The news comes after a series of anti-tourism protests took place on the Balearic Islands throughout the summer.
In May, over 15,000 locals took to the streets in Palma, Majorca to campaign against tourists visiting the island.
OTHER TOURIST CHARGES
Earlier this year, Greece introduced a new levy for overnight visitors in a bid to combat the damage caused by extreme weather conditions.
Holidaymakers traveling to Greece during the high season (from March to October) are required to pay an additional tax on overnight stays.
Just like the previous tax, the rate will vary depending on the type of accommodation tourists have booked, and it will range from €1 (£0.86) to €4 (£3.45) per night.
The new tax will be added to the country’s existing accommodation tax, with charges rising as a result.
All holidaymakers heading to Tunisia will be forced to pay a new tourist tax under plans outlined by the country’s government.
What is a tourist tax?
- A ‘tourist tax’ – also known as a ‘transient visitor levy’ – is a fee applied to short-stay accommodation.
- They are often imposed in cities with strong tourist economies, in countries such as Canada, Spain, Germany, Belgium and France.
- A tourist tax normally takes the form of a charge per occupied bed or room per night, within short-term accommodation providers.
- The charge can be set at a flat rate or a series of flat rates (for example, €2 per bed per night), or it can be set as a percentage of the price of the bed or room.
- Tourist taxes are sometimes set at different rates for different times of the year.
- Some cities exempt, or give discounts for beds occupied by children or those travelling for medical reasons.
- Others impose different rates on campsites, bed and breakfasts, non-serviced accommodation, or hotels with different star ratings.
Source; commonslibrary.parliament.uk
Meanwhile, this popular tourist destination is also planning to increase its daily tourist charge.
And this UK seaside town became the first to tax tourists this year.