She placed special emphasis on the need for tax control in order to prevent unfair competition and fraud. Joan Molas, president of Cehat, the national hoteliers' confederation, noted that there is an underground economy that must be regulated and for which fiscal control by the regions and the state is essential.
The former foreign affairs minister and president of the Palladium Hotel Group, Abel Matutes, argued that the rentals' sector must pay the same taxes as the regulated sector. This requires inspection work and tax control in the Balearics and the rest of the regions. "If there is no control of the so-called collaborative lodging, the Spanish brand will be harmed at the international level."
The president of the confederation of business organisations, Joan Gaspart, echoed this by saying that the collaborative economy cannot be accepted in tourism. "The government must ensure that legality prevails over illegality."
On another contentious issue - IVA (VAT) - Asián said that the government will not allow, "under any circumstance", an increase to the 10% rate of IVA which applies to most of the tourism sector.
Matutes praised Asián and the government for not bowing to demands for an increase from outside agencies, such as the International Monetary Fund. "There are bodies who do not know what tourism means for the Spanish economy. An increase in the rate would result in a loss of competitiveness for Spanish tourist destinations. Tourism was the economy's engine during the crisis and it will continue to be. Now and forever."
Molas added: "Not raising IVA is a top priority for the Spanish economy and for all tourist areas of the country. It must not go up."
Others attending the meeting with Asián included Miquel Fluxá of Iberostar, Carmen Riu, and Javier Hidalgo of Globalia.
8 comments
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What a load of hogwash. Let's have some tough action against the Hoteliers Association Mafia.
The all in deals of the hotels are what is ruining Mallorca , small bars and restaurants, and the south of the island in the places I won't even talk about it , that's what spoil's the island and who make the money there ? "The BIG Hotels " and a lot of those Den's , a lot of the money does not reach the island as the money for the holiday are paid in the place were the people come from , so the money they spend is in drinking cheap beer , the private villa , bring in money to the supermarkets , restaurants and good bars ,
I want tough action against the worst hotels. Trip Adviser will tell you who they are. One near me has an incredible 30 per cent terrible reviews. They ruin the resorts and ruin the island's image. Fine them or close them down!
Surely holiday rentals benefit the local economy more than Hotels do. People renting a property have to eat, and drink. Thus local bars, shops and restaraunts are used. Politicians must be sponsored by the hotel groups :-(
We've seen here and in the UH that there is much more support for the private rental sector than there is against it. 1. It's not broken, so doesn't nedd fixing. 2. It greatly benefits the local economy. 3. It's not corrupt and lines the pockets of a few wealthy politicians. 4. We live in a Democracy, where a majority vote counts. Hoteliers get over it !
What a bunch tw*ts. Make an activity illegal, and then want to tax it. Do they want more tourism or less tourism? If it's better you want, limit the damn all-inclusive and promote private rentals with a tax-break What are these guys smoking !
When is Mallorcan Authorities going to effect TOUGH ACTION on the HOTELIERS ?. When is Mallorca going to take action against the Hoteliers ? When are Mallorcaens going to take Legal Action against Hoteliers ?. Because the number of individual self employed businesses hav gone bankrupt, because of the Hoteliers ALL INCLUSIVE stranglehold on the Island. Plus the stranglehold on Mallorca's Authorities, who have been bought,or bribed ,with their power.Bars , Restaurants, Shops etc. are closing down because of the ALL INCLUSIVE all controlling Hoteliers. WAKE UP MALLORCA !!!!!.
I would like to know how much these hotels actually benefits Spain. many are owned by companies outside Spain If private rentals are not readily available then people will look elsewhere Private rentals are in demand by holiday makers as are all inclusive hotels. One will benefit local economies while the other will be the death of local communities