Resorts in Spain’s Galicia region are planning to introduce new tourist taxes to help offset the financial costs of accommodating ever growing visitor numbers.
The popular northwestern region has seen an explosion in tourists over the past year, which is placing enormous strain on communal services.
In August some 815,000 people visited Galicia, with the resort of A Illa seeing an astonishing increase of 88 percent in visitor numbers compared to the same period last year.
Local leaders have argued that they need extra funds to pay for the increase in tourism. And now it seems the regional Galicia government (the Xunta) is poised to acquiesce to their demands.
The Xunta is finalising its proposals for a tourist tax for approval by the regional parliament, with expectations that the measures will be passed.
The move has been met with relief by local mayors, some of whom have lobbied for a tourist tax for years.
José Antonio Cacabelo, the mayor of 7890ß, told La Voz de Galicia: “The tourist tax is not the best way.
“We would like the Xunta to cover service costs, but if municipalities have to continue assuming responsibilities that are not ours and cover funding, O Grove must seek other sources of income.”
Luis Arosa, the mayor of A Illa said he saw no other alternative to help pay for the increased use of basic services such as water supply, wastewater treatment, rubbish collection, or street cleaning.
Samuel Lago, the mayor of Cambados, said he did not rifle out introducing a tax “if tourism continues to increase.”
As discussions continue over the implementation of the tax, Galicia’s Tourism Director Xosé Merelles outlined how the scheme will work.
He said that the municipalities will be responsible for its management, collection, and inspection and must consult affected economic sectors on how to use the collected funds.
Galicia’s capital Santiago de Compostela is already moving ahead its plans to charge tourists a fee for staying there.
Local officials intend to introduce financial taxation for all hotels and accommodation, with compensation ranging from €0.50 to €2.50 per tourist.
Barcelona already imposes a tourist tax, with visitors now having to pay €3.25 per night to stay in the city.
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