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Balearics propose significant increase in tourist tax during summer months
Union calls for higher fees to send a clear message that the islands have reached their capacity limits
British visitors planning their holidays next summer to the Balearic Islands should prepare for a possible hike in the daily tourist tax. The Workers' Commissions (CCOO) union has proposed raising the charge to €15 per night during the busy July and August period, a move designed less to boost revenue and more to send a firm warning that the islands cannot handle any more visitors during peak season.Currently, visitor tax stands at around €4 per night, with discounted rates for those staying in budget accommodation. Under the proposed plan, a one-week holiday could carry an additional cost of around €127, notably affecting popular spots like Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca. The increase in tourist tax proposed by unions could change how British holidaymakers see the value of the Balearic Islands as a destination and may influence their choices on where and when to book their trips.
According to CCOO’s general secretary José Luis García, the goal is clear: "This increase is not about boosting income, but rather serves as a deterrent, sending a clear signal to the world that the Balearic Islands cannot accommodate more tourists during peak season." The union also highlighted the negative impact that overcrowding has on natural resources, infrastructure, and the quality of life for island residents.
This initiative comes amid growing protests by residents unhappy with excessive tourism, particularly in Mallorca, where anti-tourist demonstrations have made headlines. To manage demand, the union is also urging a halt on new tourist accommodation developments, while suggesting the gradual replacement of outdated properties. Work is also underway to boost public housing with a proposed portfolio of 40,000 homes financed partly through tax revenues - a key issue highlighted by CCOO amid the islands’ ongoing housing crisis.
The tax revenue is earmarked for sustainable tourism development, improvements in workplace welfare, vocational training, transport, and local public housing. Whether this proposal will ease the summer surge remains to be seen, but it clearly marks a shift towards balancing tourist numbers with the islands’ capacity and residents’ wellbeing.
The proposed increase in the Balearic Islands’ tourist tax comes as part of wider efforts to address overcrowding and its impact on the environment and local communities. The union has stressed that this hike is intended not as a revenue boost, but as a deterrent to signal clearly that the islands have reached their limits during peak season and to promote sustainable tourism.
Image: Chatgpt
