Twenty years on from the ecotax, he disputes a claim that the tax was a decisive factor in the 2003 election. Hoteliers, but only some he notes, supported the PP - "of course they did, but I don't think that decided the elections".
In terms of the current debate about tourist numbers, there are representatives from the hotel sector who share the view that there is tourist overcrowding.
"It is an idea that is spreading and I hope that it will not be limited to this summer's debate. It is essential, for the good of the planet, that the GDP weight of tourism decreases*. The debate is not just about tourism. There is something broader, which is the transition to a different economic model. This is not to deny tourism. What needs to be done is to balance the economy so that the relative weight of tourism is less. And we cannot leave it to the market. There is the need for a state strategy and for involvement of all the sectors that are affected."
Regarding the need for limiting tourist numbers, Alomar adds: "There are many people who share this view. This summer has increased the support for a variety of reasons, such as the climate situation. What we cannot continue with is the current economic model. Following Covid, the market has chosen the Balearics as a business platform. The streets and squares fill up and investment funds have their operations centres here. Money passes into foreign hands. And then there is the stress on the public that this all this creates. The desire to do business and the need for preservation are confronting each other, and without public intervention the market will win."
* A joint analysis by the Balearic ministry for the economic model, tourism and employment and the Exceltur alliance for tourism excellence concluded that, in 2019, tourism GDP was 41.3% of total Balearic GDP.
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Burgundy BlueWell the UK is in no position to lecture anyone that's for sure as London is the money laundering capital of the world.
Marvin Le MartianActually I think Spain is a net contributor to the EU now.
North European economic models are more of a busted flush than the Iberian. The model going forward will be the economies that aren’t hostage to Putin’s whims.
Spain needs to take a long, hard look at it’s economic model and the financial climate it produces. An extremely poor tax regime, scoring low on the international tax rating on many counts. It’s too complicated, burdensome on low income earners and inhibits development from the grassroots. Brits and most other European (northern) people would have kittens if they knew the half of what goes on here in Spain, in terms of tax, autonomo and general money grabbing policies and practices There’s no Knight in white armour coming to save Mallorca or anyone else. You have to invest in creating the opportunities to develop. Spain, has historically and continues to be, an economy that takes more than it gives (to its own) and wider in Europe. That’s the failure of the EU. It’s shameful.
A simple solution would be to make it much cheaper and quicker to set up a business. And make social security payments a percentage of earnings for the self employed. Suddenly you would see the unemployment figures go down, the black economy reduced and more businesses that don't rely on tourism. But no Spanish political party seems to be able to work this out, even though they would end up with more tax and social security money.