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Changing attitudes towards tourism have led the Balearic government to double the rate of the tourist tax, which will mean that some people will be paying three euros per day from next summer. Three euros doesn't sound a lot but it all adds up, and unless the government clearly shows how the money is going to be spent on improving the holiday resorts then I suspect that there might be a backlash from tourists who could just vote to go elsewhere. Believe it or not these are difficult times within the industry and value for money is key. Turkey, Greece and other destinations in the eastern Mediterranean and mainland Spain could profit from this rather short-sighted move.

Remember that tourists already pay heavily for the privilege of coming on holiday here and then of course they spend heavily while in resort. And now they must pay the local government as well. The government expects to raise 120 million euros through the new higher rate of tourist tax which is not much, but the damage could cost the islands at least double. The Balearic government got lucky when they introduced the tourist tax two years ago because many of the competing resorts had serious security worries. But these fears have now eased meaning that the islands are facing heavy competition, and in many cases they are cheaper destinations. The British have been hit by a fall in the value of sterling; any further price rises will hit them hard.