UK TOURISM and travel bodies say they will fight plans to introduce an #eco-tax on visitors to Spain’s #BalearicIslands. Tourists staying at five-star hotels on the islands or on cruise ships moored in ports will be charged €2 (£1.44) a day in high season under new proposals.
A reduced levy would also apply to holidaymakers staying in hostels, campsites, holiday homes, and lower-grade hotels.
The proposal includes halving the tax in low season, and children under 14 would be exempt.
Cruise association CLIA UK & Ireland plans to meet with Balearic government officials to warn that some cruise lines could alter their itineraries and reduce their visits to the islands if the tax is introduced. A spokeswoman said: ‘This could have a negative impact on cruising’s economic contribution in this region.’
The Association of British Travel Agents will also use its influence to try to reverse the decision. Nikki White, head of destination and sustainability, said: ‘We will be writing this week to the Balearic government urging them to rethink their decision. We will also be seeking clarification of the amounts that will be charged, the mechanisms for collection, and the rationale behind the tax. Fifteen years ago a similar tax was introduced which had the unintended consequence of drastically reducing visitor numbers to the islands.”
Mr Biel Barcelo, the islands’ vice-president and tourism minister, said the revenues would help ‘maintain and improve the quality of tourism services in the islands’.
The Balearic government is expected to make a decision about the proposed tax in the second quarter of 2016.
Go Holiday editor David Kernek comments: £1.44 (at current exchange rates) a day for an eco-tax or, let’s call it what it really is, a tourism tax. It isn’t far off what a tourist would tip a waiter in an average café or bar, and it’s certainly less than what holidaymakers with more money than sense spend when buying tacky souvenirs in gift shops and markets. Is it really asking too much of tourists? Is it really going to make sun-starved northern Europeans think twice about choosing Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera for a holiday? I don’t think so.
Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
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