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Scrap the tax

Jason MoorePalma03/09/2020 15:24

Perhaps the Balearic government could use the swift end to the summer season to focus on the future of the controversial tourist tax. I think if anyone needed a reminder about the importance of tourism to the islands then they just have to look at the dire state of the local economy at the moment. I know everyone is convinced that everything will be back to normal for next year...but I am not convinced.

The Balearics will need every tourist it can get next year and competing resorts will be in the same boat. It is vital that the islands are competitive and therefore I think the local authorities should scrap the tax until times improve. It was always going to be controversial; getting tourists to pay a surcharge on top of their holiday and then what they spend in resort. But in the good times tourists were willing to pay it... but now times are hard and the islands need tourists.

By scrapping the tax the islands would send out exactly the right message to would-be holidaymakers. It would also make them feel welcome. The amount of cash raised by this surcharge is very small compared to what tourism generates for the local economy. But it was introduced for political reasons at a time when the islands were at the top of the holiday wish list. But that was then and this is now.

As I have said on many occasions in this space, the local authorities need to start planning for the new holiday season and I don't think the tourist tax should be in their plans.

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3 comments

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Stewart | over 4 years ago

I agree entirely with you Jason. When will Armengol and her cronies ever learn. They have their heads entirely up their own backsides and are completely blinkered to reality . I live in the Uk and visit Mallorca every year but resent paying the tourist tax. Why should we be taxed for visiting the island on top of the cost of our holiday and the money we spend on the island. The euros that we spend in restaurants, hotels and shops are already taxed. That is how the economy works. We are treat like a cash cow. Well maybe not next year. Unemployment in the uk will be high and any tourists that are still able to get away will maybe turn to the mainland.

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Bert | over 4 years ago

They can’t, they have already spent it.

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Mark Badoer | over 4 years ago

Jason, while you are at it, I would suggest to also scrap the tax levied by the Port Authority for companies in the yachting industry. It is criminal what they have come up with and is has been introduced in just about the worst moment ever. Many companies still have staff in ERTE or just got rid of staff or closed down completely, yet this new tax went ahead. Yet the inventors of it, were arrested for corruption. Makes you think......

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