Tourist tax

Barceló not ruling out tourist tax rise

Laura Camargo (centre) of Podemos is calling for an increase in the tourist tax. | Miquel A. Cañellas

Majorca Daily Bulletin reporterPalma08/05/2017 00:00

With a rise in the tourist tax in 2018 said to be favoured by some members of the government, Biel Barceló yesterday didn't rule out there being an increase.

The vice-president and tourism minister, speaking ahead of today's parliamentary session at which the tax will be debated, said that there will be a review of the full year of the tax's implementation (i.e. 2017) in order to assess its impact. "We want to see how it has worked and what the social and economic implications have been. Then will be the time to evaluate if any issue needs improving or modifying. Now is not the time to be talking about an increase. As for 2018, we aren't closing the door on looking at any possibility."

Although Barceló referred to a consideration of the tax in 2017 before any decisions are made for the 2018 budget, the drafting of that budget does of course occur before the end of the year.

The debate today was called for by Podemos. Party spokesperson Laura Camargo insists that the tourist tax should be a genuine sustainable tax and that the rate should be increased. The tax at present is being used to plug gaps in the budget and does nothing to stop "the massive arrival of visitors".

Camargo said yesterday that the tax needs to reflect the agreements of change for government and therefore be a green tax which is spent on the environment. Bel Busquets, Barceló's colleague in Més, explained that there was agreement to look into a possible increase in the tax. "It has to act as a means of adjusting demand."

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4 comments

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john p | over 7 years ago

Always greedy,lets fleece the Brits.Do not just blame the politicians,all seem happy to be "ECO" and balance their books.How long before bars shut,supermarkets have drop in profits because all-inclusive wiil take over and we will have gone.just back from Mainland Spain and Crete,how cheap compared to Mallorca.Hope UK introduce a tax on visitors from Mallorca!

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Henry James | over 7 years ago

I for one am fed up of being treated as a walking ATM and being blamed for all Majorca's problems and being made unwelcome by large sections of the Majorcan population. I pay enough tax in the UK without being milked to ''plug gaps in the Majorcan budget'' Increase the tourist tax and I and many others will go elsewhere where we are not treated as walking ATM's and are made welcome. Majorca will be wondering where all the tourists have gone in a few years time,look to yourselves for the answer.

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Mike | over 7 years ago

This was obvious rise after rise is now on the cards corruption is rife in government just look at Matas Majorca is digging itself into financial ruin

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S. | over 7 years ago

I hope Britain introduces a Tourist Tax, to counter several Countries Taxing visiting Tourists. BUT, from my point of view, I will not return to Mallorca any more. The Tourist Taxation, is the straw that broke my pensions back. I do not like " ALL INCLUSIVE ". Do not like the annual price increases. Being ripped off from Car Hires,treated like cattle, by Airlines and Airports. There are many parts of Great Britain , I have not explored, and exposure to the Sun, is now a major health warning. So Long , Farewell, GOOD BYE !!!.

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