Can we be made to pay this holiday tax in Majorca/Ibiza?

[DaisyArcher]

We're off to Majorca in July and have just received this email from Thomson

Authorities in the Balearic Islands of Formentera, Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca have introduced a Sustainable Tourism Tax on tourists visiting the islands which the government will use to help preserve their natural beauty and cultural heritage

The charge of up to €2.20 per person, per night, on all overnight stays in tourist accommodation comes into force on July 1st 2016. It will be paid directly at your hotel and we would advise our customers to be prepared to pay upon arrival

It applies to everyone aged over 16. As we're going for 10 nights and are taking my nephew (16) and niece (17) that's going to add €88 (£68) to our holiday. What would happen if all Brits said 'no - were not bloody paying it!'

Having already booked the holiday makes no difference.

You don't get out of fuel duty rises because you'd already bought the car before the tax changed. (And so on).

If £68 is going to make or break the holiday, you can't afford to go anyway (all inclusive or otherwise). You always need some contingency.

If the Brits say no im sure the rest of the world who go to the Balerics will pay it

Ah typical 'Brits abroad' behaviour!
You are the reason we get such a bad rep.....
And proper laughs at the notion you're contributing to the economy in your all inclusive, never leave the resort -we'll get what we paid for hotel!!

Yes, YABU. Preserving nature and culture is important, the tourism industry has probably had a significant negative impact on these over the years. I'd happily pay this tax. If it's "up to" €2.20 it may not be as much as you think.

There was an article in the telegraph a few weeks ago, listing all the places that do it now- it was quite a long list!

Yep loads of places have these taxes. I

By your logic any Spanish tourists visiting the UK should just not pay any taxes they don't fancy paying

It's unfortunate that it's being introduced when you are going (although it's been planned for a couple of months now) and I understand your frustration but I'm afraid you don't really have any choice but to pay it. Don't let it spoil your holiday!

So tax dodging on the UK is a very very very bad thing that should be punisgmhed and the wealthy should pay more just because. But tax dodging abroad is acceptable and looking for loopholes is a good thing?

Holidays are a luxury and a privilege. Not a necessity. Pay the tax.

Maybe the AI resorts have put lots of local bars and restaurants out of business, so the authorities need to up the tax revenue?

Ah typical 'Brits abroad' behaviour!

Yes, typical Brits abroad . Middle aged couple with young DS taking cousins on holiday to enjoy some sunshine.

We don't normally go AI as we prefer self-catering/eating out. However, DSis and her kids have had a terrible year so we are taking her kids away and AI is the only way we can afford it as we knew exactly what we'd be spending. Or so we thought.

Yes, you do have to pay. The country as a whole does not benefit from the money you pay to an AI hotel. Hotels are not responsible for paying tourist taxes. Most countries have something similar and £68 between you for that length of time is not a lot of money compared to the overall holiday cost. Being churlish about it smacks of British Imperialism to be frank, expecting the rest of the world to fund and support your foreign adventures.

I can see it's annoying to find out about the charges retrospectively but this is a government charge and therefore will need to be paid. If you don't pay, you will either be chucked out of the hotel, charged at the airport or arrested. It is a non/negotiable charge.

So what did you have set aside for any other minor issues?

If a max of £70.00 is make or break difference for a holiday than you should have considered a different way to cheer up your sister and her children?

AI does nothing for the local economy, it's been hugely negative for many tourist areas and it would surprise me if the tax is hoping to recoup some of that loss. And I'm not anti AI in case you're wondering, I'm writing this from my sun lounger at a AI hotel in Cyprus I kust think it's very naive to think you're contributing to the local economy going AI.

As far as I know it will be requested on check in so if you don't pay the hotel simply won't let you in.

Why wouldn't you pay it? Surely contributing to the preservation of the islands is something you can appreciate is important? Typical Brit abroad attitude OP

If you can't afford an extra £68, should you be going on this holiday anyway?

at British imperialism! More like us being exploited! Do you really think the government are going to use it to preserve nature and cultural heritage?

Well you have to pay it.

Exploited? Really?

Daisy, you sound a bit unpleasant.

What would happen if all Brits said 'no - were not bloody paying it!'

What's being Brits got to do with? Are we due special privilege?

I'll start screaming 'I'm a Brit!' Next time I want special treatment, shall I?

Don't pay it, but they'll rightly boot you out.

All inclusive Stay so not likely to be contributing much to the local economy then?!
Just pay the tax, loads of places have 'city tax'. Your niece and nephew are old enough to contribute to this as well

Tax isn't exploiting you.

Fuck it, I think I'm going to stop paying mine. I'll start with the £250k corporation tax in this country though, I reckon. Bloody bastard exploity meanie governments demanding tax of me. I'm off to Luxemburg.

Daisy its £68 honestly thats all dont let it ruin your holiday dont give it another thought its an island tax that needs to be paid if you cant afford a sudden expense of under £70 on holiday then maybe you cant afford Majorca I think you are just pissed off you have been caught out and have to pay it but refuse if you like stand at reception and refuse on principal im sure that will go down well.

Of course you have to pay. It's only £70, not a great deal to add to the total cost. (And I speak as someone who has never been able to afford a family holiday).