The Spanish Association of Hotel Managers in the Balearic Islands has issued a tough statement this Monday in which they categorically reject the increase of the eco-tax (Sustainable Tourism Tax) being promoted by the Govern, and demand that a series of measures be taken that incentivize sustainability and “do not harm the tourism sector”. “We raise our voice to demand a thorough and urgent review of the current model of the Tourist Tax in our islands,” the hotel directors indicate in the letter, where they propose that the eco-tax be paid at ports and airports “or when the plane or boat ticket is purchased,” to ensure that “all tourists contribute fairly.” “This will prevent illegal operators or tourists using unregulated services from escaping their responsibility,” they have indicated. For the hoteliers’ group, “the eco-tax encourages illegality in the accommodation sector”, since “whoever is operating illegally does not pay the sustainable tourism tax”. “If the tax is now increased, the ones who will benefit the most are those who operate outside the law, since they will continue without paying it”, they added.
The changes they propose
Balearic hotel managers have proposed a series of measures to ensure “transparency for citizens and tourists”. On the one hand, they propose the creation of a mobile application through which “tourists can choose between several environmental improvement projects for the Balearic Islands and decide which of them they want to allocate their contribution”. They also propose that “the money collected in each of our islands must be invested entirely in conservation and improvement on the island where it has been collected and caused the damage”. “We will not allow the money to be dispersed without control or a clear purpose. The destination of these funds should be, as originally raised, the protection of the environment and the preservation of the natural beauty of our islands”, they have asserted. On the other hand, they have considered that “the eco-tax rates have increased disproportionately without a clear justification”, and in that line have demanded “a reduction in the amount per tourist”. “If it is collected at the entry points, a greater volume of income will be obtained without the need to penalize the tourist with excessive rates,” they have argued.
They call for the elimination of “double taxation”.
“The ecotax, a tax aimed at environmental preservation, should not generate another additional tax, such as VAT. This collection eagerness is incompatible with the original purpose of the tourist tax. We demand the elimination of this double tax burden that unfairly penalizes both the visitor and the hotel sector,” they said in the statement. Finally, they have proposed “the implementation of key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess whether the funds raised are achieving their objectives.”
