At his appearance before parliament's tourism, innovation and research committee, Biel Barceló played down the effects of a potential decrease in the number of tourists caused by the increased tourist tax. He stated once more that it is now time to consider tourism performance in terms of quality and not quantity.
Apart from his exchange with the Partido Popular's Miquel Jerez, in which he observed that government policies have brought about increased hotel profitability and increased employment, there was an intervention from Josep Castells of Més in Minorca. He told Barceló to carry on with his policies and that if the hoteliers' forecast of a loss of one million tourists is not met, then he should continue increasing the tourist tax until that figure is met.
On other matters, Barceló explained that there will be ten new inspectors next year. He estimated that fines' revenue from illegal tourism activities will be as much as one million euros in 2018.
The PP argued that reform of tourism legislation will put a stop to investment by hotel chains. All Barceló had to say on this was that this year there have been 172 hotel modernisation projects with a total value of 274 million euros. He added that 85% of establishments have now been modernised, which will naturally mean a lowering of investment.
Barceló also said that by the end of this year there will be specific regulations for the hire-car sector. There are presently 157 registered hire-car firms operating 52,300 vehicles.
Meanwhile, government spokesperson Pilar Costa was calling yesterday for Majorca's hoteliers not to create alarm about the impact of the tourist tax. The best response, she insisted, was to look at the figures, mentioning an increase in UK flights for next year and a 16% rise in tourist spending over the first five months of this year. "The situation is positive," she stated.
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are maths taught in spanish schools ?
So keep on taxing until you kill the goose that lays the golden egg dear me silly man.
Local.. Speak for yourself ,we want more tourists especially in the resorts, are you a dog ? If not get your nose out of barcelo's back side.. It's idiots thinking like you that are causing many businesses to suffer, seems like barcelo listens to a few morons then thinks that sounds like it should wreck tourism lets do it ! Get real without tourists 90% of the island will be in poverty or would have been without them !
Good Bye Majorca!
Truth is, we the local people want it doubled or more. Too many tourists lately, too little profit for us. Only the rich hoteliers, who invest everything offshore and use slave labour see the profits. The locals only see more trash, less water, more pollution and more crowded roads and cities. And the holiday rentals need to be REGULATED as they are doing. I also agree that all inclusive should be removed completely, but the hotelier mafia won't let that happen.
Sorry Majorca, I suspect that next year will see a change of destination for us. Maybe their needs to be a little imagination used by hoteliers for tourists not on AI board i.e. issue vouchers to the value of the tourist tax against drinks consumed in the hotel. This doesn't cost the hotel all that much (they just lose the profit), the authorities still get their tax revenue, and tourists feel that they are valued, so win/win/win !
Better tourists from all inclusive hotels !!! My business I at the top end of the market and I can tell you barcelo you have got it 100% wrong.... 5% from the local all inclusive hotels at most and 95% from the tourists you just eliminated, I know what quality tourism is as I rely on it solely and would love your idea but you haven't got a clue in slightest. Next year without the holiday rentals you have killed my 17 year business and so many others that rely on holiday rentals, so who's going to cater for these high quality customers from hotels if they ever venture outside the grounds ? Moron we already had the high spenders, you just got rid of them....
Idiot. The high quality tourists that he wants who spend money in local bars and restaurants are already giving up and going away as a result of this fool and his sidekicks stupidity. AI customers don't spend in the same way no matter how much they may have paid for their holiday