Another Spain hotspot joins Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza in new rule for UK tourists

Toledo, situated in the European Union holiday hotspot, is set to make the move.
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


ANOTHER part of Spain is set to introduce a tourism tax for UK tourists and holidaymakers as the fury over overcrowding and overtourism continues. Toledo, situated in the European Union holiday hotspot, is set to make the move.

Reports say Toledo will introduce a 1.5 euro charge for "each tourist" who arrives via bus. "It is hard and difficult to see that they leave nothing in Toledo," tourism councillor, Jose Manuel Velasco told the Spanish press. "We want the investment in tourism to come from income from tourism," said Mr. Velasco.

"It is not a tourist tax." He said: "What we town councils do have is the possibility of regulating parking in the city and the loading and unloading area. It is more of a tax for the right to load and unload in controlled areas, if we want to define it that way. The payment made by the tour operators will also allow us to improve the arrival and collection of tourists."

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Some regions in Spain have imposed the tourist tax as a way to generate additional revenue and to help offset the costs of maintaining and improving tourism infrastructure and services. Additionally, the revenue generated from tourist tax can also be used to fund local initiatives and programs such as cultural and environmental projects, as well as to support the development of sustainable tourism practices.

Currently, Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera and some parts of Catalonia (including Barcelona) charge a tourist tax. Valencia (which includes Benidorm) was due to launch its tourist tax in December 2023 but it has been scrapped for now.

Madrid has also discussed the introduction of a tariff on numerous occasions but has not yet implemented one. Parts of Andalusia, such as Seville, Granada and Malaga, have also expressed interest in introducing a tourist tax, while northern regions Galicia and San Sebastian are also considering introducing a charge.