All visitors and residents staying in holiday accommodation or a cruise ship in the Balearics will be charged between fifty cents and two euros per night, depending on the category of the accommodation and the length of stay. In the low season, 1 November to 30 April, only 50 per cent of the rates will be charged and children under the age of 16 are exempt from the tax, while longer-term guests will be entitled to a 50 per cent discount from the ninth day of their stay.
In the letter, published in Castilian, English and German and issued by the ministry for tourism, it states that the "purpose of the tax for sustainable tourism is the compensation of the so-called carbon footprint caused by the tourist activity on the island".
"By paying the new tax, both foreign visitors and locals who stay in a tourist accommodation in the Balearics will contribute to the preservation of the islands. The revenue raised from the tax will be invested entirely in projects with specific purposes defined by the law, such as environmental protection and conservation, the extension of the tourist season and the development of specific tourism projects for the low season, the promotion of sustainable tourism, the restoration of cultural heritage and the improvement of tourism training."
A special commission for the promotion of sustainable tourism is going to be set up to decide which project proposals receive tourist tax funding and to ensure maximum social consensus. The commission will include representatives from different local administrations, business associations, trade unions and environmental protection bodies.
A new website is going to launched to provide maximum clarity and detailed information about how the estimated 80 million euros raised per year by the tourist tax is spent.
Due to its late introduction, only 50 million euros is going to be collected this year, and of course, 10 per cent more is going to be in VAT.
10 comments
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The double whammy is the drop in the value of the GBP. Since last summer it has lost 15% against the Euro, and who knows what will happen during the next 3 months. I can envisage bars, restaurants, shops, supermarkets, not to mention staff who rely on tips, having a hard time this season.
It's tourism that keeps the Island afloat !! Why penalise the tourists for the income they bring to the Island ? People aren't stupid,you will regret this hideous decision !
It is time to clean the chicken house ...the pigs are in the farm house ....grand larceny in the open
Sheer greed
Tax on Tax is a common procedure. Petrol have VAT added to the price after taxation even in UK.
"How exactly can you add tax to tax payments?" Because it's not a tax in the first place - that's a bad translation - it's a "fee" and VAT is chargeable on most fees.
Well,it's goodbye from me as I will be going to Tenerife in future where they value and welcome tourists and don't try to blame them for just about everything and don't have the audacity to charge them for choosing to go on holiday there as they know full well how many jobs and businesses depend on tourists. Tenerife is also warmer,cheaper and with a lot more to do and see,as I had a great time there this Easter. I don't have the slightest doubt that in a few years,Majorca will be seeking an increase in the tourist tax well,there are other parts of Spain that don't have a tourist tax so see in 2017 onwards where your greed gets you.
How exactly can you add tax to tax payments? They are taking the p**s.
Tourism tax, well it will just entice people to go elsewhere for their holidays, won't have to worry about your carbon footprint then, nice one Mallorca, really thought that one out !
The island is doomed