Authorities in an archipelago beloved by British holidaymakers have reportedly put forward new tax hikes amid pressure from residents to tackle over-tourism. The Balearic Islands government announced plans for a range of new or increased taxes in proposals unveiled last week, The Olive Press reports.
Marga Prohens, the Balearic president, formally presented the “tourism containment measures” on Friday, with world-famous holiday destinations like Ibiza, Mallorca and Majorca set to be impacted. The plans would see the existing tourist tax, also known as the Sustainable Tourism Tax (ITS), rise from €4 (£3.36) to a maximum of €6 (£5) per person, per night during the high season, as per The Independent.
The increases would apply at four different rates from March to December, with January and February exempt, The i newspaper reports.
Another proposal put forward is to charge cruise ship passengers the maximum tourist tax rate. The levy would rise from €2 (£1,68) per night to €6 (£5.04) per night during the peak cruising season.
A new hire car levy would also cover vehicles arriving on the islands from elsewhere, with charges based on emissions and time spent in the Balearics.
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Meanwhile, a ban on new tourist accommodations in residential apartment buildings could be brought in, as well as fines for holiday platforms who advertised unlicensed properties.
Fines for offenders could rise as high as €500,000 (£419,500), as per The i.
It comes after demonstrations erupted last year in major Spanish tourism hotspots, including across the Balearics, over the impact of tourism on the cost of living, with the spiralling price of accommodation a key concern.
According to The Independent, the Balearic government said the latest proposed measures are “aimed at managing and ensuring the sustainability of tourism in the Autonomous Community”.
They also include an income tax reduction of up to €250 per year for Balearic residents booking a holiday on the island, The Olive Press reports.
Ms Prohens is embarking on a round of discussions with local political parties, as she seeks to secure support for her plans.