The Balearic environmentalist organisation, GOB, has added its voice to others that have taken issue with the national secretary-of-state for tourism, Isabel Borrego, who has said that the proposed tourist eco-tax will result in a loss of tourists and of economic activity.
GOB cites the case of Catalonia, where a tourist tax was introduced in November 2012. Figures show that tourist numbers rose steadily from 2009 to 2014, with there having been increases in 2013, the first full year of the tax’s implementation, and in 2014.
Indeed, the increases were greater from 2012 to 2014 than had been the case between 2009 and 2011. The stats also show that tourist spending went up between 2012 and 2013 and then again between 2013 and 2014. (The figures come from the various governmental surveys of tourist movement and spending.)
GOB favours the introduction of a tourist tax in the Balearics but insists that it should be used for environmental purposes and projects and not be directed towards tourism activities.
4 comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
Apologies for some errors in English in my previous post. Fat fingers and a small "smartphone" are the reason. I trust my meaning was clear, though!
It costs money to collect a tourist tax and the message it sends out to potential visitors is "we see you as a soft touch and wish to take your cash". It's an unsubtle grab into your pocket. The oroper way to do.it is to welcome people with open arms, encourage airlines to fly heee with lower airport fees, and then once people arrive they will spend freely and enrich the local economy. I come out here frequently, using my own modest property which is never rented out but into which also come close friends and family. I do this because I love the island and want people close to me to enjoy the place and enrich the local economy. On top of all thay the Calvia Council get a full array of swingeing taxes from me the same as if the properyy were 100% occupied. These proposed tourist taxes send out the wrong message. Tourism.here has been badly run for years by people who pocket a good income yet provide an inferior customer service. If they sorted out the manner in which they promoted this island (their current efforts are pitiful) the local economy would receive a massive boost. Forhet the "tourist tax" and get on with your proper job.
Why should tourists have to pay a Tourist Tax so that the money will be spent on anything except improvements for them. We pay enough taxes in many differenr ways here, and if the government got their act together by slimming down the ridiculous amount of "ministers" milking the system it would not need extra taxes. Don't forget that when Franco ruled Spain was about the richesr country in Europe. Almost nobody paid income tax, and he built the airport, the motorway, and the infrastructure that we take for granted today. All the parties since then have done is conduct the massive fiscal frauds that are still being exposed almost daily here. There is plenty that needs doing in the tourist sector, proper bus stops, and more public toilets for example, but should be paid for by the taxes we pay. Scandalous taxes to change a property or car ownership, ever increasing costs of registration and books to send a child to school, - how can they be justified when we open the paper to read of yet another minister caught lining his pockets with our taxes. Leave the tourists alone, and be thankful we still have some.
Just like: "Smoking does not damage your health" - signed Dr. Marlboro ! Of course GOB says that, does anyone really think they would say anything else?