It is widely acknowledged that tourist destinations suffer from the over use of their own natural resources due to the arrival of millions of visitors. Water shortages, excessive consumption of electricity, crowded hospitals, crowded roads as well as tremendous waste generation are the main harmful effects of mass tourism.
Consequently, it sounds logical and convenient to set up a tax system for tourists in order to raise money to minimize as much of the negative impact on the resources of the islands as possible. These funds should be used to protect and preserve the destroyed areas such as natural parks, aquifers, polluted sea and beaches , roads, landscape and mountains. Furthermore, the sums raised could help to finance, manage or develop local projects such as education, health service and even social aid assistance.
Despite the fact that the holidays will be slightly more expensive, the extra expenditure, which varies from half a euro to two euros a day per person, is easily justifiable due to the altruistic aim of improving the islands’ environment and infrastructure so that it remains competitive with other popular tourist hot spots.
To conclude, the so-called “eco tax” is currently a trendy and controversial topic amidst businessmen and politicians. I personally consider it to be a highly interesting issue for the Balearic Islands, because of the direct impact tourism has on the environment as well as the human impact on our social services.
4 comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
I'm from Mallorca. I love traveling and I've been to many places where I've had to pay an ecotax and never EVER I thought about not going to those places just because I had to pay some money that will be used to preserve nature. New York or Barcelona are among those destinations... would you anyone here (not to mention those apocalyptic right-winged politicians) decide not to go to NY? Would ANYONE even discuss it? The price tourists would be paying is ridicously low if you compare it to the high price the environment has to pay every single day. Seriously, we're talking about the price of one or two gin-tonics...are you telling me you are willing to pay for a gin-tonic but not for nature?? If so, be my guest and choose another destination.
another one who can think for himself ( mike ) but going against the flow .7 thumbs up and 8 down but only 2 reply's to comment . may I suggest people get of the fence and have a say . whether it be good or bad at least they can express themselves
"Furthermore, the sums raised could help to finance, manage or develop local projects such as education, health service and even social aid assistance". Why should tourists subsidise local governments overspending or financial mismanagement ( incompetence and/or corruption ) ? .
I wholly concur. Good article.