CEO Steve Heapy said it was a ‘great worry’ that the levy would ‘creep up’ in response to overtourism protests in Spain, as the country’s tourism chiefs gather in London
Jet2’s chief has signalled that tourists might face higher taxes due to prolonged protests. Steve Heapy shared his concern over the potential hike in tourist levies in Spain, amid longstanding objections to overtourism expected to impact popular spots this summer.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Spanish embassy in London, the airline CEO referenced his opposition to such charges and his worry that increases could become an “irresistible” notion.
“It worries me greatly that it will constantly creep up in response to overtourism protests,” he asserted.
While debate continued, Salou’s mayor Pere Granados spoke favourably of the regional €1 per person, per day tax currently applied, highlighting its fairness. Mayor Granados remarked: “The tourists pay tax in the same way as the residents pay taxes. If I come to London, I generate waste.”
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On the other hand, Benidorm’s mayor Antonio Perez believes in moderation regarding how much tourists are taxed. “I’m against a tourist tax because it’s stigmatising the visitors as the ones who are preventing me from having a better city or better services. We need to be the best place to live,” he commented.
Despite the backdrop of protests, interest in holidays to Spain remains robust. The nation celebrated a landmark year with 94 million international tourists visiting its mainland and renowned islands last year, reports the Mirror.
Protests have persisted in recent months, with one shocking sign threatening to ‘Kill a Tourist’ appearing in Tenerife. There are also reports of anonymous locals setting fire to hire cars, often used by tourists to explore the island, as a clear message.
In March, demonstrators took to the streets of Spain’s second city, targeting a sightseeing bus in Barcelona, which they blocked and sprayed with water.
The organisers of many of the anti-tourism protests held in 2024 in Mallorca initiated a protest in the Northern Spanish city.
Catalan Police were summoned when the campaigners obstructed a bus filled with tourists near the famous Sagrada Familia.
Members of Més turisme, Menys vida (More Tourism, Less Life) instigated the action after conducting an international press conference. After halting the bus for several minutes, the protesters soaked it with water pistols.
According to OK Diario, police dispersed some of the activists and arrested others.
This group from Mallorca, known for their aversion to tourism, carried out several pressure actions against tourists last year, both in Palma and on iconic beaches like Caló des Moro, as well as two demonstrations with thousands of people protesting against tourism in the streets of the Balearic capital.