Palma26/11/2017 00:00
I have been to three different hotels on the island and on each occasion I have paid the tourist tax even though I already pay my taxes to both the Balearic government and the central government. Whatever you may think of the tourist tax, no one should really be able to escape it. Everyone has to pay and there should be no exceptions. Now, the cruise ship companies are threatening to boycott the Balearics because cruise ship passengers will have to pay the two euro levy. What is their problem? Why should they be able to escape the charge but "ordinary!" tourists still have to pay it on a daily basis? It wouldn’t be fair.
7 comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
The mega rich American cruise companies will be challenging this outrageous tax in the courts. Originally when this tax was brought in it would apply to ships that had overnight stays - as many do in Barcelona. To charge tax for a possible 4 hour stay in port is criminal - as are most decisions by this goverment in matters relating to tourism (our tourism model!) Of course they are not worrying about expensive legal actions, as they will be long gone by then. They hope to be over there with Bauzá and Antich, but hopefully locked up with Matas and Munar.
As I understand it the ship pays the tax whether or not their passengers disembark, supposedly like an airplane pays an airport landing and handling fee whatever it’s passenger loading.
Conversely there's an argument they should not pay the tax - they won't be staying in a Mallorcan hotel and a cruise liner is a stateless space. Charging the tax may well deter the undecided passenger from coming ashore and spending their money - in which case it'll be yet another own-goal for the island.
I hope you prefer Palma next year without it's "alarming crowds"
Taxpayer... Totally agree, big problem is in resorts the rentals legistration has got rid of the higher spending tourist, without them no money gets generated so no income which equals no tax for government !!! Looks like Barcelo has created a vicious circle on a downwards spiral for the Balearic Islands!
If the Balearic Government worked harder to ensure that ALL residents paid their income tax here, the tourist tax would not be necessary. I know many people who live in Mallorca and take advantage of it´s benefits, including the health service, free bus passes, reduced air fares to the peninsula etc, yet pay no income tax here.
I agree on this (except you don't comment on pollution? Why?) but nothing else on your editorial line. MDB was founded in an era when global news and the Internet did not exist. You are now irrelevant. Puppet of Grupo Serra = more development, more opening hours, more more more. You are out to Ultimately ruin Mallorca to financially benefit your lords and masters.