British tourists visiting popular holiday destinations in the Balearic Islands next summer are likely to face another tax as authorities ramp up their fight against overtourism.
Balearic President Marga Prohens announced the tourist tax will increase during the peak summer months of June, July, and August, though the exact rate has not yet been disclosed.
However, the tax will be reduced during the low season of December, January, and February to attract more visitors to the islands, including Majorca and Ibiza, outside the summer period.
It remains unclear whether this reduction will lower the current tax level or simply result in a smaller increase compared to the summer rate.
The proposed tax increase is likely to stir controversy, as Majorca is already seen as an increasingly pricey holiday destination.
The Balearic government had explored exempting local residents from the tax, but this would violate European Union law, so they will instead offer tax relief.
Currently, five-star and four-star superior hotel guests pay £3.30 (€4) per person daily, while guests at four-star and three-star superior hotels are charged £2.50 (€3) during summer.
Guests staying at other accommodations face a £1.67 (€2) daily charge.
A tourism official said: “Since July 1, 2016, the Tax for Sustainable Tourism is levied on all overnight stays in tourist accommodations on the Balearic Islands.
“Thanks to the contribution, we are able to make major investments to compensate the territorial and environmental impact of tourism on Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera.”
Visitors currently pay the same level of tourist tax throughout the whole year, whether low or high season, and it costs anything up to €5 euros a night extra, payable on arrival, depending on the quality of the accommodation.
Another initiative that the Executive will implement is the prohibition of new tourist rental places in all multi-family homes once the moratorium is lifted and the island councils set their respective ceilings for places.
Currently, the limitation is only in place in the Majorcan capital of Palma but it will now be extended to the entire island. It should be noted that this prohibition will not affect existing tourist homes but rather the request for new places.
During the debate, the president said: “The discomfort of residents due to the externalities of tourism is increasingly unanimous and transversal. This summer’s demonstrations are a test, and we cannot put ourselves in profile because we listen to everyone.”