Spanish authorities are considering extending tourist taxes on the Balearics, amid growing protests against mass tourism. The islands are popular with British holidaymakers and attract millions of tourists each year.
More than 15 million visitors descended on the islands last year, including just over 3.5 million Brits. The Balearics – made up of the four islands Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera – witnessed a number of anti-tourism protests last year. These were part of a nationwide campaign during the summer, with tens of thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets to vent their opposition to overtourism.
The protests have shaken both the political and business establishment in Spain, with local officials scrambling to contain public anger.
One measure under consideration is to increase tourist taxes, with a number of regions already announcing hikes to their rates.
The idea is to raise more money to reinvest in local communities, with proceeds going to building more affordable housing and implementing environmental protection schemes.
While attending the ITB international tourism fair in Berlin, Spain’s minister for tourism hinted more changes could be afoot in the Balearics.
Jordi Hereu told reporters: “I also fully accept the debate on limits, or pricing, or taxes.
“These are elements that I believe are already part of the modern debate on sustainability in the Balearics, in Spain and throughout the world, because this is already a universal debate.”
Tourist taxes in Balearics were first introduced in 2016 and currently the charge in Majorca is between €1-€4 (84p-£3.35) per day for the first eight days, and 0% reduction for the following days.
The charge applies to all levels of holiday accommodation such as hotels and villas, in addition to cruise ships.
Spain’s Catalonia region has announced it is to double tourist tax rates by the end of 2025, as officials step up their efforts to control visitor numbers.
The levy will start at €2 (£1.65) per day for visitors at campsites in Barcelona and rise to €7 (£5.78) for those staying in 5-star hotels in the regional capital.
Elsewhere in Catalonia, tourists will pay from between €1.20 (99p) and €6 (£4.95) per day, depending on their accommodation.
Last year, Catalonia raked in more than €90 million from the tourist tax (£74m). With the levy increase, that figure is expected to rise to €200 million (£165m) per year, if tourist numbers continue to grow at the present level.