Spanish hotspots that will cost you more this year – as Brits are hit with ‘tourist tax’
SPAIN is one of the most popular destinations among British holidaymakers, but new fees are set to increase the cost for those planning a visit.
Several Spanish resorts have introduced tourist taxes, with some coming into place this year.
Local councils in the Valencia region have been given the go-ahead to apply a charge of up to €2 (£1.75) per person per night in a controversial move.
Popular resorts like Benidorm and the Costa Blanca, as well as the City of Valencia, could be affected, although Benidorm officials have said they don’t wish to impose the tax.
Other areas of the Valencia region are keen on the idea.
Despite their stance, there are still fears that Benidorm could change its mind due to increased financial pressures.
The tax will come into force from December 19, 2023.
Elsewhere, Barcelona has already increased its tourist tax price this year and has plans for a further rise next year.
The Catalan capital has had a tourist tax in place since 2012, but has since put prices up.
As of April 1 2023, the maximum nightly charge a tourist will pay is now €2.75 (£2.40) but this will rise to €3.25 (£2.80) from April 2024.
It could increase even further beyond that as well.
Two years ago, the regional government approved an increase in the surcharge and said it would allow Barcelona city council to charge up to €4 (£3.50) a night.
The type of accommodation guests book in Barcelona changes how much they are required to pay in tax.
Those staying in five star hotels will have to pay more than visitors in rentals, while cruise passengers who spend over 12 hours in Barcelona also need to pay a fee.
Meanwhile, in the wider region of Catalonia, not including Barcelona, guests will pay a total of between €0.60 (£0.52) and €3.00 (£2.60) per night in tourist tax depending on location and accommodation type.
Other cities could soon follow suit, with the capital Madrid also considering a tourist tax of its own.
The woman who was in charge of tourism in Spain for five years, Reyes Maroto, is now standing for mayor of the city and has said she would introduce a tourist fee if elected.
Galicia and San Sebastian are two other regions of Spain considering introducing a tourist tax as well.
Meanwhile, the Balearic islands has had a tax in place for visitors since 2016.
Currently, tourists can pay approximately £3.50 a night, depending on the category of their accommodation and the time of year, meaning couples face paying an extra £50 for a seven-night holiday.
However, upcoming elections could see fees rise for tourists in Mallorca.
Party Més per Mallorca has proposed tourist reducing measures that could increase the tourist tax by as much as 60 per cent.
They also hope to cancel all promotions designed to bring tourists to the area.
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