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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

130 replies

DaisyArcher · 21/05/2016 08:58

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!'

OP posts:
Original poster
DaisyArcher · 21/05/2016 10:14

Grumpy - it applies to all tourists not just AI.

And may I suggest some of you RTFT before piling in - otherwise you end up looking like a twit.

OP posts:
DropZoneOne · 21/05/2016 10:15

The Balearics tried this tax before, early 2000s from memory. Lasted about 18 months before being scrapped as tourism declined although I think it coincided with general travel downturn post 9/11. It has been talked about for a while, its not a sudden reaction to the tourist switch from Egypt / Tunisia / Turkey to Spain this year, although the increased visitor numbers will bring them much needed funds.

It's not great after you've booked your holiday but all tour ops terms include the right to increase price due to tax increases etc - it's just in this case that tax is paid at your hotel. Last year lots of people got money back when the child rate for air passenger duty was reduced so it works both ways!

Lweji · 21/05/2016 10:16

Don't worry Daisy.
Just cancel the bloody cheque already. Grin

SoupDragon · 21/05/2016 10:16

I have to pay a exit tax when I leave Antigua. I always wonder whether they'd force me to stay if I refused to pay it... [sigh]

maggiethemagpie · 21/05/2016 10:18

We even have this in our own country. You have to pay £10 to leave Norwich airport, it's a tax for the airport's development. (ok not quite the same as you don't have to pay to leave by road, but it's similar in principle to what a lot of countries do)

FoggyBottom · 21/05/2016 10:19

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

I hope you aren't allowed into the country. What makes you think you're above the law.

Completely YABU and an arse.

5608Carrie · 21/05/2016 10:20

Daisyarcher I agree it is frustrating when unexpected costs are applied when you have pre booked a holiday. However as others have said it is the law and you will have to pay.

Personally I would not go on a holiday abroad with three kids without a significant £500 or more emergency fund. All inclusive or not, unexpected emergencies can occur. Insurance is vital but it doesn't cover everything and the money sometimes needs to be claimed back on return.

Far too risky in my opinion.

NicknameUsed · 21/05/2016 10:23

Well done for admitting that the MN jury were right.

IMO there should be a higher tourist tax for all AI holidays as they don't do much to benefit the local economy.

sandrabedminster · 21/05/2016 10:23

We have this from newquay airport

ForalltheSaints · 21/05/2016 10:26

It is a lot less than the increase in VAT that was introduced by Gideon Osbourne in the last parliament, which visitors to this country would have paid having booked a holiday before the increase.

Tax evasion is a crime and if you refuse to pay then you should accept the consequences.

ilovesooty · 21/05/2016 10:29

I suspect the OP will be bashed for another couple of hundred posts because people haven't rtft and haven't noted she's accepted she is BU.

ThoraGruntwhistle · 21/05/2016 10:37

Well done for accepting that you would unreasonable to refuse to pay it. I get why you'd be mildly irritated by the extra cost considering it came in after you'd paid for everything else but at least it's not a huge amount.

TrickyD · 21/05/2016 10:37

We were told by a ski company with whom we travelled that we would have to pay a local daily tax, which, for eight if us added up to quite a hefty sum. I emailed the tourist office, asked what the tourist tax should be for our accommodation, and was given a much tinier sum , something like 1 euro per day per person rather than six. There ensued a big row with the rep, but I showed the email, and they had to agree I was correct. Therefore I Suggest you email the local tourist office, keep the email, tell your travel agent in advance and refuse to pay if there is a difference.

However, if the tourist office confirms that it is a bona fide tax, nothing to be done,.

RedToothBrush · 21/05/2016 10:37

Is it fair?

Well you know when you booked your holiday, it will say in the small print that this is a possibility and that Thompson will pass this cost on to you. This small print would suggest it would be a good idea to save extra for your holiday in case of this situation rather than budgeting for the AI price only.

This would be the terms and conditions that YOU AGREED to when you booked your holiday.

So actually its perfectly fair. You were made aware of it when you booked. It doesn't matter what they spend it on, you've already agreed to pay it!!!

Costacoffeeplease · 21/05/2016 10:48

IMO there should be a higher tourist tax for all AI holidays as they don't do much to benefit the local economy.

Seconded

GrumpyMummy123 · 21/05/2016 10:48

Who looks a twit?!

I didnt post a question in AIBU then get in a huff when everyone piles in saying YABU....

DaisyArcher · 21/05/2016 10:56

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Artandco · 21/05/2016 10:57

You should always have money avaliable if travelling. Things like illness yes covered by insurance but for many you have to pay first from own money before claiming back from insurance after.

And yes all inclusive isn't beneficial to locals, hence the more all inclusive in area the higher taxes will have to be.

RedToothBrush · 21/05/2016 10:58

I suspect the OP will be bashed for another couple of hundred posts because people haven't rtft and haven't noted she's accepted she is BU

She might have admitted that but her replies after that are still in effect she doesn't agree. The tone of them suggests differently to accepting she is BU....

The fact that she agree to pay any such tax when she booked with Thompson still seems lost on her in her complaining too. Thompson couldn't charge her extra is she hadn't agreed to the terms...

RedToothBrush · 21/05/2016 11:02

And now we are resorting to name calling.

sigh

Original poster
DaisyArcher · 21/05/2016 11:06

Give over with your passive aggressive RedTooth. You were one of the posters who piled in without RTFT and probably feel a bit daft now so just admit it and don't get huffy about the word 'twit'.

I have accepted IABU and not said anything to suggest otherwise in much subsequent posts.

OP posts:
MrsJayy · 21/05/2016 11:06

Fair Do:s Daisy you were just being grumpy

Original poster
DaisyArcher · 21/05/2016 11:07

Random 'much' there Confused

OP posts:
NoelHeadbands · 21/05/2016 11:07

Oh there was definitely huff! Grin

RedToothBrush · 21/05/2016 11:12

I did read the thread.

No one seems to have previously commented that there will be a clause in your booking about something like this.

That's why I commented to add that it probably would have been in your booking small print.

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