Jason Moore11/05/2017 00:00
TW
1

The Balearic government got lucky with the tourist tax; it was introduced with few problems and the expected outcry never took place. One of the reasons for the problem-free introduction was because the islands were riding high; competing resorts in north Africa and the eastern Mediterranean had become no-go areas because of the major security fears and as a direct result the Balearics were welcoming additional tourists. So the tax went through and everyone paid. But times are changing. Turkey is popular again and tourists are slowly returning to resorts in north Africa. The Balearics faces competition again. So the local government should forget increasing the cost of the tourist tax, because on this occasion they just might face a backlash from all sides.

The local parliament is debating a bill at the moment which would involve a rise in the tourist tax from 2018. This is a rather senseless idea. Just because the Balearic government got lucky once, it doesn't mean that it will happen again. British tourists this year are going to have less spending power as a result of the fall of the pound against the euro. Majorca is also no longer considered a cheap holiday destination. Families will be watching their pennies again this summer. While many holiday destinations charge a tourist tax, many others do not. So be very careful Balearics. No one likes paying a tax especially to go on holiday. Do not ride your luck again.