Majorca could impose taxes on low-cost flights in tourism crackdown
Placing limits on 'low-cost flights' during peak tourist seasons - which could see an environmental tax being introduced - in the Balearic Islands, is among the measures being discovered by the government for the Spanish destination.
The Balearic Islands, including Majorca and Menorca, could place limits on 'low-cost flights' during peak tourist seasons - which could see an environmental tax being introduced. It's among the measures being discussed by the Balearic government as it looks at ways to change its tourism model.
On Thursday, February 27, government parties met to discuss sustainability in the islands, including 'measures aimed at reducing tourist pressure on infrastructure, natural resources and local quality of life', Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.
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President Marga Prohens warned that measures needed to be taken otherwise "the current scenario based on the volume of visitors, overcrowding and intensive exploitation of resources will continue".
One option that has been raised is the impact of low-cost flights and the number of tourists they bring to the islands. One proposal, according to reports, is to limit these flights during the high season.
It's been met with questions over feasibility as the regional government doesn't have "authority" over the airports and the movements of planes.
But one option is to propose 'an environmental tax on tourist flights'. According to Majorca Daily Bulletin, it is 'questionable' whether the Balearic Government can impose such a tax as air transport is a 'state responsibility'.
Other proposals include limiting the number of vehicles entering the islands.
Regarding tourist tax, the present 'is still minded to increase the rate for this year's high season', although there's significant doubt that it will be introduced in time. The current plan is to restructure the tax so it increases based on seasonal demand.
Last year protests took place across the Balearic Islands and other Spanish destinations as residents raised concerns over the impact of mass-tourism. At the time President Prohens said 'limits needed to be set' when it comes to tourists.
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