Tourist tax.

[fifi]

Tourist tax proposal divides Canaries


A proposal to introduce a tax on all tourists holidaying in the Canaries is already proving very divisive in political quarters, not to mention the tourist industry.

The Nueva Canarias party has tabled a formal amendment to the 2014 Budget calling for a tax to be imposed on every holidaymaker per night of their stay, with the exact figure depending on the type of hotel stayed in. The proposed tax would see a minimum of 0.50 cents charged to individual tourists over the age of 12, with the top rate fixed at 1.50 euros per night in 5-star hotels. The party's leader Román Rodríguez, a former president of the Canaries, says the model is in line with similar approaches taken in other parts of the country, particularly Catalonia, where tourists in Barcelona have to pay up to 2.25 euros per night. The revenue raised from the new tax, if approved, would be split equally between the Canarian government and island/local councils and used to upgrade amenities and infrastructure in holiday destinations here, as well as to protect natural resources and fund essential public services. However, many have already raised concerns that the imposition of a tourist tax -and even the threat of such a move - would divert visitors elsewhere and damage the industry irreversibly.

[woe10]

When in Mexico, you have to pay €50.00 departure tax at the airport. Dom Rep is the same.

[Captain Sensible]

The Nueva Canarias party are a minority group, so there's not much chance of it being put into the 2014 budget.

[Magoo]

Just got back from Jakarta. On arrival they charge you US$25.00 for the privilege of standing in a hot sweaty queue which doesn't move a lot. On the way out, you get blagged for 150,000 Rupiah airport tax.

Milking the traveller is worldwide

[Spike On Q]

Most USA states charge a similar accommodation tax

Japan has a departure tax too

[annalivia]

We paid this type of tax in Majorca about 15 years ago, so it's nothing new.

[fifi]

I paid it on the Croatian Islands too. I think it was about a euro per day or something like that.

[meggie]

This has also recently been introduced in Cape Verde

[SheilaW]

Every tourist resort in France has had a similar tax for as many years as I can remember. Why on earth would figures such as 1€ per night per adult make so much difference? For the average couple that would be a whole 14€ - is that really going to put them off coming here? In France, there's a cutoff for those staying for long periods so it never gets too onerous.

I think it's a great idea personally. 100% of the money would come to the islands. Even those tourists in AI who never venture outside the hotel would add something to the local coffers.