Jason Moore24/09/2016 00:00
TW
5

I had thought that the money from the controversial tourist tax was going to be ploughed back into improving tourist resorts. So far an estimated 32 million euros have been raised through the levy. But last week the government announced that the money had been earmarked for environmental projects, fixing the water supply and agriculture. No mention of holiday resorts at all.

Ensuring that the island has an all-year-round supply of water is vital, environmental projects are also of importance after years of tourism. But agriculture? So money from tourism is going to help the local agriculture sector, which is small to say the least. I would even remind everyone that this island doesn't live from agriculture but tourism.

One of the reasons why I did voice some support for the controversial charge was because it was going to be spent on the tourist resorts. In other words tourists would pay a small price for a better holiday on Majorca. Well, that was the theory. There was always a danger that tourist tax cash would be diverted to other projects. There were even suggestions that the cash could be used to help pay the wages of civil servants. Thankfully, the government has so far ruled this out.

Overall, the introduction of the levy has been successful with few complaints from tourists. Now we will have to wait until next year to establish whether it has hit bookings. I sincerely doubt it. But what is important is that the money is spent on projects which directly have an impact on holidaymakers. Many island resorts are in need of improvements but the government says that the necessary funding is not available. This is no longer an excuse. Part of the tourist tax cash should go to the tourist industry. There is still a danger that there could be a tourist tax backlash, especially if the money is not spent on the right projects.