Spain hotels slam 'absurd' new charge for UK tourists and say 'we are not in favour'

IBIZA, SPAIN - APRIL 29: A couple take a photo while drinking sangria on Playa d'en Bossa beach on April 29, 2022 in Ibiza, Spain.
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Hoteliers in the Balearic Islands have questioned the local government's 'justification' for announcing an increased charge for tourists next summer.

The Balearic government recently shared plans to increase the tourist tax charged to visitors in June, July and August from 2025 in an effort to tackle overcrowding and attract more holidaymakers outside of the peak period.

The Ibiza and Formentera Hotel Federation (FEHIF) met on Tuesday and members called on the association to make 'more noise' against the tax hike. Acting president Ana Gordillo said the 'discontent' felt across hotel federations on the islands was because the increase was 'absurd', adding that they do not understand its justification.

"The federation has been asked to make more noise and really make the government see that we are not in favour," she said. "There will not be more tourists in winter and fewer tourists in summer."

Read more: Prague looks to increase charge for UK tourists due to 'strain' on city

Hotels on the islands reported a 'positive' summer season, however occupancy failed to meet 2023 levels. Bosses reported that regular customers 'said they saw the island emptier' this year, which they put down to the 'discourse of saturation and overcrowding' and potentially the Euro Cup and the Olympics which 'may have had an effect'.

The president suggested that talk of overcrowding may be a result of infrastructures needing improvement, 'that we talk about year after year and they are not improved', such as parking and public transport.

But Gordillo said the most important problem to 'eradicate' was the illegal supply and lack of housing, which she said required 'more forceful action', as Spanish news site Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.

Details of the increase to the Balearic islands' tourist tax have yet to be confirmed, however opposition party Més has suggested doubling the current daily rates. Currently, the charge stands at €4 per adult per day, per guest staying at five-star and four-star-plus properties, €3 for visitors in three or four-star hotels and €2 for guests in other accommodations.

This rate is halved after eight days and under 16s are exempt. The revised tax is expected to decrease during the low season, which runs from December to February.