Balearic Islands to increase tourist tax this summer to tackle overcrowding

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tourist tax

The Balearic Islands government has announced a significant increase in the tourist tax for summer 2024 in an effort to manage the ongoing surge in visitors. President Marga Prohens confirmed the seasonal tax hike, set to take effect during June, July, and August, with the goal of reducing peak tourist numbers.

In contrast, the tax will decrease during the off-peak months of December, January, and February to encourage visitors during quieter periods, although exact figures for these adjustments are yet to be disclosed.

Currently, visitors to the islands pay a daily rate of between one and four euros depending on accommodation type. This year, the government projects revenue of €156 million from the tourist tax alone, which contributes to sustainability and tourism management initiatives.

In addition to the tax adjustments, Prohens introduced a new policy allowing residents of the Balearics to deduct this tax from their accommodation expenses within the islands. This measure, part of a broader legislative plan to combat tourism-related pressures, will be included in an upcoming emergency decree to be enacted in February.

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Restrictions on holiday rentals in apartments

Another significant move targets the availability of short-term holiday rentals. Currently, a moratorium on new tourist rental licenses is in place, imposed by the former administration. Prohens announced plans to maintain strict controls when the moratorium ends, particularly by restricting short-term rentals in multi-unit buildings across the islands. In Palma, where these restrictions already exist, Mayor Jaime Martínez plans to extend the ban to single-family homes.

In response to growing resident concerns, the government has scheduled several consultations with social stakeholders to devise further strategies against overcrowding. This follows a large-scale protest in Palma, where over 20,000 residents voiced their frustration with the strain on local infrastructure and housing availability due to tourist numbers.

Record tourist numbers in July

These new measures were announced alongside data showing that July 2024 set a new record for population density in Mallorca, with the Balearic Statistics Institute (Ibestat) reporting a peak of 1,504,229 people on the island on July 26, nearly 50% above the resident population of around 960,000. The record surpassed even the highest figures from August of the previous year.

Also read: Barcelona set to increase tourist tax for short-stay cruise passengers

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