These were the assessments of President Armengol, speaking in the Balearic parliament on Wednesday. She attributed its "success" to what she vaguely referred to as the realisation of efforts that have been adjusted to needs.
Responding to questions from Alberto Jarabo of Podemos, Armengol said that decisions on the use of tax revenue will be taken by the "plural commission" that is expected to be announced next week. As part of this, the tax legislation provides for some public participation in the decision-making process. She stated that it would be the commission's objective to pursue projects funded by the tax by listening to the requests of the public. The commission will, therefore, consider feasible investments for environmental issues, and ones that are "so necessary".
The finance minister Catalina Cladera said that information regarding initial tax receipts will be given later this month. She added that hotel occupancy data indicated that the tax has not had any negative effect and that she expected that this will continue to be the case.
Cladera was replying to the Partido Popular's tourism spokesperson, Alvaro Gijón, who called on the government to make an evaluation of the tax's implementation. For Gijón, the "normality" of its introduction lay with the efforts of businesses which, though critical of the tax and its bureaucracy, are the ones charged with its collection.
Someone who might disagree with the government is the one person to have so far lodged a formal complaint against the tax with the government. A Spanish tourist, staying at a "resort" on the bay of Pollensa, said that he had no knowledge of what was a two-euro per night charge and argued that it represented a denial of freedom of movement. There is a suspicion that this tourist was from Catalonia, where there has of course been a tourist tax since 2012.
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Looks like Ron watches too many tesco adverts on TVs ( sic)
Can "holidaymaker" with an email address starting with a "t", please change the nickname so as to not conflict with the reader with the same name. Thank you.
Dont know whats going on with this site but the last comment made by me 2 hours ago was not me ??? I was at work !!!!!!!!!!
Far to early to think of it a success, as most of us only found out about the tax, several weeks after booking our holiday. You can only class it as successful if you retain the same number of visitors next year, I for one know people who once told able the tax have booked elsewere this year
Thanks Ron, sun is shining so yes, I am happy. Two things. Firstly, Barceló and co quoted 40 million, not me. Secondly, the last time a similar tax was introduced, the PP swiftly got rid of it. Not only do they live here but they also win more votes than any other party here on the islands.
Simon, no your quoted figure of €40 million (sic) is not enough. There's your answer.Happy now?Everybody else seems to be - apart from a few moaning individuals on this forum, who probably don't even live here.
The way the Spanish are talking about the Tourists it's obvious they don't want Tourists . My advice would be for people book to go elsewhere next year and if there's no tourists then there will be no reason to clear up do no tax needed .
Lots of my friends and family are talking about Croatia next year as its really a beautiful place and good prices
The holiday companies have put up the price of our holiday by £200. The line has dropped. I had to pay 1.65.€ per person per night tax, so although we love Mallorca and have been going there sometimes twice a year for many years, this tax has put the tin lid on it. We will be holidaying in the UK from now on. Sorry!
Ron, I must say it´s a very strange answer from someone who apparently owes his living to us tourists. So you are basically telling your customers that as they are a messy lot they must pay a tax ( plus IVA ) so that the authorities can afford to clean up after them. I thought the tourists in Cala Ratjada had a bit more self respect than that. Will this years 40 million be enough, or will some of it be spent on something else ?. Please be honest with your answer.