As we settle into spring and the sun starts making more frequent appearances, people are starting to daydream about their summer holidays.
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but anyone heading to Majorca or Ibiza could be slapped with a £70 tourist tax on arrival. That charge will be in addition to what they’ve already paid.
The Balearic island authorities approved the new duty in March, and it will apply to anyone visiting after July 1, even if the holiday was booked long in advance.
It’s all in the name of “sustainable tourism”. Local authorities say the tax will be reinvested into improving tourist areas and upkeep of the natural surroundings.
The amount families have to pay will depend on the star rating of their accommodation. If you’re staying in a one to three star hotel, the charge will be one euro a night per person, while more luxurious four to five star-dwellers will need to cough up two euros on the same basis. That goes directly to the hotel.
What that essentially means is that a family with four kids over the age of 16, staying on the islands for over a fortnight, could pay up to £70 extra. Ouch.
Better budget that into your ice cream/beer fund.
