She said that the position of the national government is that tax does have to be of a level to guarantee essential public services, but that it is preferable to allow people to decide for themselves how they spend their money. "We have no interest in the tax burden continuing to increase indefinitely." She observed that Spaniards work 168 days a year in order to pay tax - burden enough without adding more taxes.
Asián said that she finds it "surprising" that a resident of Ibiza should have to pay the tourist tax when staying at a hotel in Majorca. She added that it will be interesting to discover the response of the European Union to an appeal against the tax brought by the hoteliers in Ibiza and Formentera.
On holiday rentals, Asián's stance was quite different. The regional government should decide how to apply rules. Decentralisation of responsibility for tourism affairs is positive and, in the case of the Balearics, decisions regarding rentals' legislation should be taken which reflect differences on each of the islands and indeed within islands.
Asián also announced that Madrid has decided to pull the plug on its financial commitment to the Playa de Palma renovation commission because the previous left-wing Balearic government of President Francesc Antich failed to correctly invest funds given to it on the agreed designated projects.
The decision will be contested by the current left-wing administration, but it would appear that Madrid is going to stick to its guns.
The secretary-of-state was in Majorca for the first time since she was appointed in November last year. She spoke briefly with tourism minister, Biel Barceló, who had to leave because of other meetings.
4 comments
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How rude of Biel Barceló to leave when the Secretary of State was in attendance. He must have known months in advance of her visit and could have changed his diary to commit to her visit.
the hotel tax was imposed many years ago and deemed illegal although many people had receipts for the tax payment they never had the money back and here we go again ripping the tourists off the very people who keep the Majorcan economy turning over
As she is the minister responsible for national tourism, I also am surprised she is so ill informed about the tourist tax. Although for her stay in Ibiza I doubt she dipped into her handbag to pay this, as she will be on an enormous expense account as they all are. (Probably just had a short hotel break to say goodbye to Biel). But something will surely be done now to eliminate residents from this unfair tax, as we all commented on many times. (Jason - you may still get a refund on the 3 times you paid it!)
Ask him for his receipt showing that he's paid the tourist tax for his stay if he can't then refuse to pay yours it can't be one rule for one he's liable as well