La entrada Santa Eulària plans to ask for 10 million more from the eco-tax to finish the Congress Center. se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>The mayor of Santa Eulària, Carmen Ferrer, has acknowledged that there is a «pending» funding to complete the project and that one of the ways proposed is to resort again to funds from the eco-tax. The aim is to ensure the continuity of the works without compromising the deadlines already set, especially those linked to European funding.
These statements were made in an interview with Radio Ibiza, in which Ferrer said that the amount needed to close the financing is around 10 million euros, although he insisted that it is not yet a formal request and that the process is in the assessment and negotiation phase.
The Palacio de Congresos project has been divided into two phases to secure European funds. The first phase, corresponding to the parking lots, should be completed by June of this year, while the second phase includes the rest of the building. According to the municipal forecast, this phase could be completed between the end of 2027 and the beginning of 2028.
The Consistory recalls that the works are already underway and that the main administrative elements are aligned, such as the approved project, the bidding process and the company awarded the contract. The financing, however, remains the main obstacle to complete an infrastructure considered strategic for the municipality.
The Conference Center is one of the big bets of Santa Eulària to strengthen the tourism of congresses and events, a line that the City Council defends as key to advance in the tourist deseasonalization. In this context, the use of ITS funds is proposed as a tool to close the project definitively.
La entrada Santa Eulària plans to ask for 10 million more from the eco-tax to finish the Congress Center. se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada Ibiza will receive 67 million from the sustainable tourism tax for modernization, water and combating illegal supply se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>The measure is part of a broader plan presented by the president of the Govern, Margalida Prohens, at Fitur 2025, which includes a total investment of 380 million euros to promote sustainability in the archipelago.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Jaume Bauzà, and the Minister of the Sea and Water Cycle, Juan Manuel Lafuente, have held a meeting with the president of the Consell de Ibiza, Vicente Marí, and the mayors of the five municipalities of the island to evaluate the distribution of these funds. The objective is that each of the key areas receive the necessary resources to transform Ibiza into a more modern, efficient and sustainable destination.
One of the main pillars of this investment is the modernization of tourist infrastructures. The Government has allocated more than 12 million euros to the improvement of strategic areas of the island, such as the Convention Center and the Ibiza fairgrounds. . In addition, urban beautification projects will be promoted, such as the remodeling of Vara de Rey street in Sant Antoni and the adaptation of public spaces, in order to reinforce the island’s tourist image.
Congress tourism will also benefit from a specific item that will allow the modernization of facilities for the organization of events. Likewise, the improvement of mobility in urban areas will be a priority, with the creation of new park-and-ride lots and the renovation of sports facilities in Can Misses.
Another key objective of this investment is to ensure the sustainability of the water cycle in Ibiza. With an allocation of 12 million euros, improvements will be made to the Santa Eulària desalination plant and advanced technologies will be implemented to optimize the use of water resources. The installation of sensors in wells and treatment plants will allow greater control over the water supply and the quality of the service.
In addition, work will be carried out on the modernization of the sewage system and the removal of the Talamanca outfall, an obsolete infrastructure that will be eliminated to reduce the environmental impact in the area. The commitment to renewable energies will also be present, with the installation of photovoltaic pergolas in different parts of the island, in order to promote energy self-consumption and reduce dependence on non-sustainable sources.
The purchase and demolition of the unfinished structure of Cala d’en Serra in Sant Joan de Labritja is another of the actions planned within this plan. This intervention will allow the recovery of a degraded space and enhance its value within the natural environment of the area.
One of the highlights of this investment is the reinforcement of the fight against illegal tourism supply and intrusion in the sector. With a budget of more than 8 million euros, the Government has launched a shock plan to strengthen inspections and control of unregulated activities in Ibiza.
The funds will provide the Consell de Ibiza and the town councils with advanced technological tools to detect irregularities in the tourist offer. More personnel will be hired for the inspection areas, as well as the implementation of surveillance systems in areas with a high tourist influx.
In addition, specific resources will be earmarked for Sant Antoni, with the aim of improving security and inspection in the municipality. The hiring of new police officers and civic surveillance personnel will be one of the priorities to ensure that responsible tourism regulations are effectively enforced.
The Govern has stressed that this investment represents a change in the management of the sustainable tourism tax, ensuring that the funds collected are efficiently reinvested in the island. According to the regional authorities, this approach will improve the quality of tourism in Ibiza and ensure that the growth of the sector goes hand in hand with the protection of the environment and the well-being of residents.
La entrada Ibiza will receive 67 million from the sustainable tourism tax for modernization, water and combating illegal supply se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada Hotel managers on alert due to eco-tax increase: they ask to be charged when buying air or boat tickets se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>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.
«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.»
La entrada Hotel managers on alert due to eco-tax increase: they ask to be charged when buying air or boat tickets se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada Hotel managers on alert due to eco-tax increase: they ask to be charged when buying air or boat tickets se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>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.
«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.»
La entrada Hotel managers on alert due to eco-tax increase: they ask to be charged when buying air or boat tickets se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada Parliament asks to allocate part of the eco-tax to build public housing se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>Other parliamentary speakers have addressed the issue. While there is agreement on the need to find solutions to the housing crisis, they differ in the proposed approach. On the PP side, the deputy Margarida Pocoví has defended the policies implemented by the PP Government to mitigate «the lack of housing policies by the Pacte». Pocoví has justified the vote against the point that asked to declare tensioned zones insisting that the Govern «will not apply interventionist policies». At the same time, Vox deputy Idoia Ribas stated that the problem of access to housing is no longer a marginal issue and that public housing «can only alleviate the problem». The problem, according to Ribas, has reached dimensions that require a complete reformulation of policies. «For there to be more housing, land must be freed up,» he argued, calling for a «true liberal policy to solve the problem.» In turn, the deputy of MÉS per Mallorca Ferran Rosa has rejected that all responsibility for the housing situation is attributed to the Pacte, when the situation experienced by other territories is «identical». The ecosoberanista has regretted that for the current Govern the recipe against a market problem is more market. «They are those who believe that a hangover can be cured with beer,» he said.
La entrada Parliament asks to allocate part of the eco-tax to build public housing se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada The ecotax will finance the fight against intrusiveness in Ibiza with a 22 million project se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>The implementation of the project contemplates the expansion of human and technical resources at the Office for the Fight against IntrusivenessThe implementation of the project contemplates the expansion of human and technical resources in the Office against Trespassing, in addition to the reinforcement of the local police forces in each municipality. Marí stressed that this measure represents «a step forward in improving the quality of life of residents and the quality of the tourist product in Ibiza», responding to the demand for greater regulation in the tourism sector and the complaints of citizens affected by the proliferation of illegal rental housing and unregulated transport services. The investment allows the Office for the Fight against Intrusion to have more specialized personnel to carry out inspections in tourist homes and detect unauthorized rentals in multi-family properties, a practice prohibited in tourism regulations and now also in the urban planning legislation of Sant Josep, Sant Antoni and Sant Joan, a measure already applied by Santa Eulària and Vila.
This funding is in addition to the other 12 projects presented by the Consell de Ibiza and approved in the same call, all aimed at strengthening the sustainability and tourist attractiveness of the island. These include projects in the areas of waste treatment, modernization of tourist facilities and heritage recovery. The projects, which have a total allocation of 11.7 million euros, include the remodeling of the Waste Transfer Station with an investment of 2.2 million euros, phase II of the modernization of the Fairgrounds with 524,774 euros, and the creation of an Intangible Heritage Center in Ses Nou Rodades, with funding of 1.8 million euros. On the other hand, Santa Eulalia del Río will receive 5 million euros for the second phase of its Conference Center, while Sant Antoni de Portmany will get 4.9 million euros for beautification projects and safety improvements, aimed at consolidating its image as a quality tourist destination.
This allocation marks a milestone in the use of the Sustainable Tourism Tax, which since its creation in 2016 had not been directly earmarked for tourism regulation. In statements during the X Ibiza Tourist Housing Congress, the island’s director of Tourism Promotion, Juan Miguel Costa, stressed that this effort seeks to respond to the growing pressure experienced by the island, especially in high season, when its population of 160,000 inhabitants doubles, reaching figures of up to 340,000 people. Costa also stressed that, thanks to these new regulations and the cooperation between the Consell and the town councils, an inspection and sanctioning structure is being consolidated that will make it possible to curb the activity of those who do not comply with the regulations in force. «With the entry of these funds, owners who offer illegal tourist rentals will have to assume the consequences and pay the established sanctions,» said Costa, who called on all institutions and citizens to collaborate to maintain a responsible and orderly tourism on the island.
Vicent Marí emphasized that the purpose of these investments is to ensure that tourism on the island remains in line with sustainability and the quality of life of its residents. «We are making progress in protecting Ibiza’s identity and strengthening an economy that respects both those who visit the island and those who reside there,» the president concluded. The implementation of this project represents a change in the administration of the Sustainable Tourism Tax, and its impact over the next three years could define a new standard for tourism management and sustainability in Ibiza.
La entrada The ecotax will finance the fight against intrusiveness in Ibiza with a 22 million project se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada The Hotel Federation of Ibiza and Formentera criticizes the lack of clarity in the eco-tax surcharge. se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>Finally, the Federation suggests that the Island Councils of Ibiza and Formentera should advocate for a total ban on tourist uses in multi-family buildings through a law in the Balearic Parliament. The entity considers that, in view of the growing concern about the lack of housing, it is essential to protect the residential use of the properties. The Federation concludes that, far from promoting tourism, this type of surcharges could put the Pitiusas at a disadvantage compared to other competing destinations in the Mediterranean.
La entrada The Hotel Federation of Ibiza and Formentera criticizes the lack of clarity in the eco-tax surcharge. se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada The Consell de Ibiza proposes an increase in the eco-tax for tourists to improve local infrastructures se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>The vice president of the Consell, Mariano Juan, has expressed the support of the government team to this proposal and stressed the need for the Consell to have greater collection capacity. «Our institution does not charge taxes, only fees for services; with this measure, we could have greater fiscal autonomy and reinvest in projects of primary need for the island,» Juan said.
La entrada The Consell de Ibiza proposes an increase in the eco-tax for tourists to improve local infrastructures se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada Funds from the ecotax allocated to the fight against illegal tourist rentals se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada Funds from the ecotax allocated to the fight against illegal tourist rentals se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada Rahola Matutes on the increase of the eco-tax: «The problem is not the tax but what is done with it and where»». se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>What is your opinion on the increase of the eco-tax announced by the Government?
-We have not really seen the impact yet, but when the tax was first put in place there were many complaints and in the end it has been normalized. The problem with a tax is not its implementation, but what you want to do with it. This tax is about the tourist impact and the clients that come to the hotels and that, in some way, deteriorate the territory. So, 100% should be invested in the territory. It is logical. What I would not agree with is that if you are collecting money in Ibiza, that money should go to Menorca, or that of Menorca to Mallorca. And that there really is a plan. More money for what? Every summer, for example, we have broken sewage pipes. If it is being collected, let that be fixed. We pay enough taxes, but I don’t know if they go to Madrid or the Balearics. If it’s to fix that kind of thing, that’s fine. I have always believed that the closer the collection is to the action, the better. We see it in smaller countries. But if we have to politicize those revenues, well….
So to really have an opinion, I have to see what it applies to, but historically, Spain has not been known for being tax efficient. So my position is skepticism. In Barcelona it has been done well, you pay a tax that is actually invested in tourism processes.
All this, in a tourism-phobic context.
-Since we are talking about Barcelona, they have realized that what helps to regulate tourism are the hotels. In a hotel, those who stay there have to identify themselves. In addition, they are in places that are urbanistically suitable. The tourist apartments have atomized that and given rise to the legal and the illegal. In Ibiza, practically 45% of accommodation is not in hotels. This is also happening in Ibiza, in Venice, in Madrid, in many cities. That makes housing more expensive. The hotel was like an embassy, where travelers met. That is what a hotel can do and a tourist apartment cannot. The regulation must be there. Today, in the Balearic Islands, no new hotels can be built. Then, how is it that more people come? The ally is the hotelier: before we were the bad guys and now, little by little, it is being seen that we can help.
-Do you think that the ecotax is rewarding illegality and punishing legality?
Totally and not only with the increase of the eco-tax but also with the previous taxes. Nothing pays the illegal part.
-In addition, it leads to an increase in costs and this is reflected in prices, at a time of much criticism of Ibiza’s prices.
-I cannot pass it on to the customer because if I could I would already be doing so, as is logical. In the end there is a deflation of that tax.
–Meliá’sCEO said that hotels in Spain had the capacity to grow, in terms of prices. Among them, he gave Ibiza as an example, compared to Santorini or the Amalfi Coast. Do you agree with that statement?
-Yes. Now: it is one thing to agree that we can increase the price, because it is a fact, and it is another thing to agree that taxes should be raised. The infrastructures that Spain has are not in Greece. How many hotels are there in Santorini? In Mykonos? And it is very atomized with islands. Spain has a very powerful continental part, from Catalonia to the Costa del Sol. It has a great inland tourism, just to mention Madrid and Barcelona. Spain is a world power.
-What does that have to do with price growth capacity?
-When you have infrastructure, you have climate, you have a good health position, and the ease of access to all of this as a European, that is an advantage. We, when we retire, are hardly going to go and live in Norway, however fantastic the country may be. But a Norwegian, when he retires, will want to retire in Spain. Spain is still the Florida or California of Europe. A guy from Milwaukee, if he can, will go to Tampa or San Diego. There is no need to go to Los Angeles or Miami.
-So, if we have the capacity to raise prices, why don’t we raise them?
-It’s a travel issue. The different destinations compete. Fifteen years ago there was hardly the technology that we have today in Spain. And we have also had a lesson in hygiene from our major Spanish operators, who have been able to compete with the world’s major operators. Meliá, Barceló, Riu, Palladium, and so on. They have brought a lot of things that can be learned by competing overseas. This has given us a privileged situation and more and more. Now it is a hub of constant learning. We constantly produce very good human capital, very good technology and we put it into practice, and we compete more and more and better. That leads to a continuous improvement and that translates into a price improvement. But a very large part of the Spanish hotel and catering business is still in the process of professionalization: because, for example, it has been in the hands of families and now they are selling.
-In a recent interview with José Luis Benítez, manager of the Ibiza Leisure Association, I asked him that Ibiza is the only place in the world that doesn’t want to look like Ibiza. Agreed?
-Yes, it’s a classic. The instagrammable world we live in generates information and misinformation. The instagrammable world of show-off generates haters and lovers. Here it can’t be otherwise and that situation is generated. They say that more discos are being made and no, they are the ones that were there, they are transformed. It is not black and white. The housing problem is real and worries me, it generates an impoverishment of the destination. Hotels can solve part of that problem and they do. But because of the increase in prices, public services are deteriorating: it costs more to have policemen, teachers, doctors and more.
The problem we have is that we do not have comprehensive urban development plans. The Ibiza Town Hall has been with suspended projects for years. The city that we want is not planned: Can Misses is a dormitory, it has no life beyond when UD Ibiza plays. There has been a lack of political planning at a time when the private offer has specialized and the public one has not.
-You constantly see promotions with prices that are not for residents…
-Now we will see what happens. We have to start acting more forcefully against illegal tourism. We need to be more agile when it comes to shutting down illegal supply.
La entrada Rahola Matutes on the increase of the eco-tax: «The problem is not the tax but what is done with it and where»». se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
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