UK tourists have received a huge boost after it was announced Majorca could roll back its visitor charge. The centre-right minority government in the Balearic Islands is negotiating with far-right part Vox, in a bid not to increase the Sustainable Tourism Tax that was recently imposed in a new decree of tourism control measures.
The plans were first proposed by the in March and included an increase to the tourist tax over the summer between 66% and 200% depending on the category of the establishment. They also included a tax on holiday car rentals and a ban on new holiday accommodation with penalties of up to £430,000.
The Regional Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Jaume Bauzà, has defended the need to increase the tourism tax despite the fact it “does not regulate tourist flows” except in the case of cruise ships.
Currently the tourist tax’s maximum amount is £3.45 per night per person at five-star and four-star “superior” accommodation, with those under 16 being exempt.
Guests at four-star and three-star superior hotels are charged £2.59 during the summer. Outside of these categories, there is a £1.72 charge.
If the plans are approved, holidaymakers staying in four and five-star hotels will pay £35.31 per person per week, a rise of £11.77, which would cost a family of four with children over the age of 16 £141.24 a week.
Cruise ship passengers will be the hardest hit, with overnight charges increasing by 200% from £1.68 to up to £5.04 per person per night.
Last month hotel bosses called for the proposed increases to be delayed until 2026. President Marga Prohens has previously described tourist taxes as a “tool” to use for the “regulation of tourist flows”.