Might Biel Barceló now regret the timing of the introduction of the tourist tax? | Toni Escobar

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Biel Barceló, the Balearic tourism minister, yesterday said that Brexit could affect Balearic tourism because of British tourists' reduced spending power.

"It would not only affect the tourist industry but also all businesses in the UK. We look on it with concern. One of the effects would be the fall in value of the pound, which at present is strong in relation to the euro." This, he recognised, would have an impact on tourism because of the reduction in spending power.

Barceló also referred to "hypothetical tax rises" in the UK which would have repercussions for British travel spending.

Today, Barceló will discover that his fears have been confirmed. The pound is falling, and the government is introducing the tourist tax on 1 July.