The worst-kept secret of Balearic government policy has been confirmed. Tourism minister Biel Barceló and finance minister Catalina Cladera have announced that the rate of tourist tax will double next year. This doubling will apply to all types of accommodation, meaning that it will range from one euro per day for hostels and similar to four euros for four-star superior and five-star hotels*.
Barceló offered data to suggest that the tourist tax has not led to a decrease in tourists or in their spending. Hotel occupancy was, on average, 79.1% last year whereas it was 75.6% in 2015 (the tax didn't of course come in until the start of July last year). Figures from the national Turespaña agency point to an on average 6% increase in daily spending per person during the second quarter of this year. Both he and Cladera insisted that the increase was justified because the tax has had great "social acceptance". Moreover, it assists in reversing the environmental impact of tourism.
With the increase, the government anticipates generating 120 million euros revenue next year.
* The overwhelming majority of tourists in hotel accommodation stay in three-star, three-star superior and four-star accommodation. The rate for three star (and also one and two star) will rise to two euros. For three-star superior and four-star the rate will be three euros.
The hotel apartment categories that have key ratings rather than stars will be affected in the same way. So, for example, a three-key establishment will have a tourist tax rate of two euros per day. The cruise ship rate will rise to two euros and will from next year apply to all ships regardless of how short their stopovers are.
The normal holiday rentals' rate of one euro at present will go up to two euros. The rate for agrotourism, rural hotels and interior hotels will also increase from one to two euros. The lowest rate - what will become one euro - will be for hostels of differing kinds, refuges (such as those in the Tramuntana mountains) and campsites.
No statement has been made yet with regard to the 50% discount in the low season. At present, the tax is 50% less between November and April. It is thought that this reduction might be eliminated for April. As for the 50% reduction after eight days, it is understood that this remains unaltered, as do the exemptions for payment, e.g. by under-16s.
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I must admit we are travelling to Sa Coma towards the end of May and I did book up the hotel in Oct 2017, before any announcement of 'doubling' the tourist tax was announced. In theory tourists who have booked prior to official announcement should pay at the lower rate. Also what is the 'key' reason to up the tax. It was originally a tax to maintain and keep the island. This is pure greed doing this and if you want to deter tourists, then keep upping the price. I believe in England we need to do the same if other countries want to grab what they can.
Keith, based on what you say, your booking is for a three-star hotel. Assuming that the hotel's rating is still three stars (some hotels have increased their ratings because of improvements), then the rate will be two euros per person per night (under 16s exempt) plus 10% VAT, with a 50% reduction after eight nights. Understand what you say about point of sale, but the tax is charged (usually at check-in) according to legislation as it is currently in force, which now means the doubled rate. Accommodation providers are obliged to charge this in accordance with the law.
Where do we stand with booking before the increases were announced / even discussed? We have a booking from a year ago, it tells us about being subject to a tax of 1.10 Euro and 55 cent after 9 nights. This is obviously different now, but can they only charge the levy on what the rate was at point of sale? The old charges are black and white on the paperwork. technically, if they get the new rate, they could have charged us whatever they wanted... We still do not know what the new rate for that hotel actually is...
I Love Majorca. But sadly I will never be going there again. I hate blackmail, as well as thieves. It has and sadly made me focus on other places which do not want to rob me of my very hard earnt cash. I wish the island well with whoever decides to pay extra Ransome for there holidays.
What are the cruise ship companies saying about the rise. Also the passengers ?? I think after paying £3,000 upwards for a cruise to then be hit with an extra tax, people wont be happy. Maybe cruise ships will give Palma a miss in the future.
Dear Brit Empire. Good luck with Brexit my friend and I am sure I can get enough people to band together and buy you your ticket to Clacton. Be a tourist in your own country...please. It's funny how many Brits (and I am one) come to Spain and how few Spaniards go to England. Do they know something we don't know? What is lacking today is respect. Respect for the culture, learn a few phrases instead of insisting that they speak your language and more importantly understand that this is their home, not yours. We all have a responsibility to protect the environment because at the end of the day we are simply custodians. We need to ensure that Mallorca and the rest of our world are in a fit condition for future generations. That may sound like a tall order but if each of us accept responsibility, it is not unachievable. Your comment 'Without us Brits, watch Spain return to peasant status' is ignorant and shows perhaps why the locals are getting fed up with the situation.
Oh I forgot Brit Empire, Btits only go to Mallorca or they have to stay at home. If only there were other destinations! And Geoff, in the UK we've all seen our neighbourhoods expand putting strain on services, changing the areas out of all recognition and raising house prices so our kids can't buy or rent. I thought the UK had a small minded island mentality but it appears we are not the only ones!
Without us Brits, watch Spain return to peasant status. Britannia ruled the waves and the world is lost without us. If you put up the tourist tax we will trash your Island, oh er we have already done that! Ok we will stay at home and holiday in Clacton, see how you all like that, oh er we may not like that either! Er forget this comment.
Sorry Lawrie but if you had been outside El Corte Inglés on Av. Jaume III last night you would have seen yet another example of what I describe as 'bad tourism'. An English guy, late twenties, in just swim trunks, surrounded by three police officers because he had got into a taxi and then told the driver when he dropped him off that he didn't have any money. My friend who works at the Consell de Mallorca in Placa de Cort told me the other day they asked a woman to leave because she was wearing only a bikini. As for your comment about 'tourists sitting in designated elderly bus seats.........so what'. What a tasteless comment!
In all the years I've been coming to Palma I've never once seen anyone sitting in trunks or a swimsuit! Come on Geoff its not like you can just jump in the water, ok maybe a fountain right enough! Try living in Edinburgh, building work, tourists sitting in designated elderly bus seats.........so what. If you want quiet then can I suggest Spean Bridge in the Scottish highlands and an absolute guarantee no swimsuits at any time of the year.