The Workers’ Commission has proposed hiking the tax and it would mean four adults staying at a luxury resort for two weeks paying more than £700 extra for a break
Holidaymakers heading to Spain could face a significant increase in costs under new proposals. This follows a call for a hike in the tourist tax paid by visitors to the Balearic islands.
The Balearic Islands consist of four main islands: Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, along with the smaller island of Cabrera and around 150 other minor islets.
At present, Brits holidaying in Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca pay a charge based on the standard of their accommodation and the time of their visit.
During peak season, tourists are charged €4 (£3.50) per person every night in a five-star hotel, €3 in mid-range accommodation, €2 for budget stays, and €1 in hostels. These rates drop by 75 per cent during off-peak times.
Approximately 18 million Brits travel to Spain each year, making it our top holiday destination. It’s estimated that 27 per cent – nearly five million – of these travellers head to the Balearics, so any price change would have a substantial impact, reports Bristol Live.
One of Spain’s largest trade unions, the Workers’ Commission, is advocating for an increase in this rate. They’ve proposed raising this tax to €15 (£13) per person, per night in July and August.
Sky News reports that this would mean four adults staying at a luxury resort for two weeks would pay €840 (£736) in taxes during the summer peak, up from €224 (£196) at current rates.
This move is not only expected to raise funds for the Government, but also aims to reduce visitor numbers. The islands have long been grappling with the issue of excessive tourism, leading to numerous protests over recent years.
Many locals argue that they’ve been forced out of areas due to skyrocketing housing costs and a lack of living space as many flats are being converted into AirBnbs. There are also complaints about the anti-social behaviour of tourists.