The government's announcement of a doubling in the rate of the tourist tax from next year has been condemned by much of the tourism industry. The Partido Popular have also attacked the rise, while Podemos have expressed their satisfaction.
The CEO of Thomas Cook, Peter Fankhauser, who was in Palma for a meeting with hoteliers on Wednesday evening, said that the increase will affect customers, businesses and the Balearics as a destination. The tax rise will lead to "artificial growth in prices paid by tourists". The family tourist segment, he argued, would be the most affected and will therefore look for alternatives to the Balearics. The news of the tax rise was not "positive" for tour operators, hoteliers or customers.
Business associations say that the increase is incomprehensible, given that the tax was only introduced last year. But they believe that it is simply a means for the government to raise more general revenue.
Joan Molas, the president of Cehat, the Spanish confederation of hotel associations, who was also in Palma, said that the increase is "absurd". The government, he noted, could just keep on increasing the tax, and this will lead to rejection by tourists. "It does no favour to the tourism industry. The way forward is not by increasing taxes."
Manuel Butler, the CEO of Turespaña, observed that the national tourism minister and secretary of state for tourism are both opposed to tourist taxes. Speaking for himself, he said that an increase would be "a grave error". Inma Benito of the Majorca Hoteliers Federation had been the first to speak out. Prior to Wednesday's meeting she had said that a doubling of the tourist tax would be a "disaster".
Of other associations, the president of the Balearic Confederation of Business Associations, Carmen Planas, criticised the government's economic policy. Increasing tax pressure will harm competitiveness and economic and social development. For Planas, as with others, the tourist tax rise appears to be in order to raise greater revenue for the government. "It isn't planning specific environmental improvements, only feeding the structure for spending." She added that it would be a measure contrary to society's needs and made a reminder that it isn't only tourists who pay the tax; so also do residents if they stay in tourist accommodation.
The president of the Majorca restaurants association, Alfonso Robledo, agreed that it was a tax increase to enable more government spending. It will also reduce tourists' spending capacity. "Increasing taxes is no solution, especially not for tourism. The government wants to raise revenue without having thought about the consequences."
The Aptur holiday rentals association said that the increase was "viable" and will not affect rentals. It nevertheless criticised the government for its lack of dialogue about the tax: "a serious error and typical of the government".
Alberto Jarabo, the general secretary of Podemos, was satisfied with the increase, believing that it is essential for solving the problem of tourist saturation. He added that the large hotel groups must decide if they are part of the problem or of the solution, as the consequences of a tourism monoculture economy are now being paid.
The leader of the Partido Popular, Biel Company, attacked the government for using the tourist tax as a deterrent tax and not as a means for making environmental improvements. He argued that the use of the tax stemmed from the "tourismphobia" of Podemos and that this has affected the government, which has been "kidnapped by Podemos".
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Yes AndrewP it is 'all about me' It is my opinion. Being retired I will only pay out what I can afford, the tourist tax is an extra that I must pay if I want to Holiday on the Island of Majorca and even on the Spanish Mainland. The length of my Holiday is governed by the cost. I would rather have two shorter holidays than one longer one. My choice. I know the tax is not welcomed by everyone, but in my opinion, I have no choice if I want to stay in Majorca but to pay it. This is of course only my opinion!
What you don't seem to grasp it's the thin end of the wedge that's already started getting thicker if it's not stopped befor you know it it will be 10 euros a night then the I don't mind paying it will be complaining ? tax always goes up ! Governments are just greedy paying themselves vast amounts of taxpayers money for doing nothing ,
Good old Les, last of the big spenders with a 9 and 7 day holiday booked, what about people who travel as a couple and book 3 week holidays or a month or is it all about you?
Well I have two holidays booked for 2018 and this tax increase will make no difference to me, for the 9 day holiday it will cost me €18 extra on 2017 holiday, that wouldn't buy me a meal in a restaurant, the 7 day one is going to be €14, what will that buy. If people stay away over this tax then it will give me some extra space at the airport and in resort. I'm sorry but I won't desert Majorca over €32.
I have already booked for Greece next year,a beautiful country with friendly people who genuinely welcome you and you are not seen as a walking cash machine. I will feel much happier spending my money where I am welcomed and if it helps Greece get through some tough times,that will be even better.
****QUOTE FROM 'GED' "Well, as they say on Dragons Den. I'm Out. I really hope it works out for the islanders. But I can only put up with being told I'm not welcome so many times, in so many ways. "COULDN'T AGREE MORE !
For whom the bell tolls. It tolls now as a death knell for Mallorca. You are killing your Golden Goose . The world is now the Tourists Oyster. Bye Bye Mallorca.
My fourth holiday this year later in September will be my third in 2017 in either Majorca or Menorca, I have already booked for June 2018 in Menorca, the plans for my other three holidays in 2018 will certainly be elsewhere, perhaps Greece and Portugal. Talk about stupidity? this initiative will sink a lot of businesses, at your peril!!
Some people think of Croatia as a low class holiday destination. They couldn't be more wrong. It's architecture and appearance is more Italian and stylish than you would expect and the country is beautiful. Holiday in Croatia. You will not be disappointed.
These hoteliers need to realise that if Mallorca is not offering tourist Holiday Apartments in private buildings they need to offer this style as well as the hotel model. People like the ability especially if they have children to be able to make a cup of tea and toast in the middle of night. Otherwise Mallorca will miss out. I hate staying in Hotels and will always choose an apartment first but Mallorca offers substandard apartments within the Hotel model. That is why I stayed in private apartments via Air BnB, which were presented to a high standard. Now Mallorca has stopped this, I am holidaying in Italy & Croatia where I can easily source the high quality accommodation that my family desires.