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!'

Daisy - I think you should cancel the cheque and take everyone to Maui instead

I think you're being really quite unreasonable about this. If you get annoyed about Google and Starbucks not paying corporation tax, celebrities using tax havens to avoid paying income tax, then you should pay the tourism tax. It is entirely analogous. And by not paying you will be breaking the law. Remember the hotel will have your address details and they/the local government in the Balearics will be well within their rights to come after you for recovery of unpaid tax, with interest. We have reciprocal enforcement agreements with other EU countries so don't assume that once you leave the country they won't be able to get you to pay.

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

I imagine you'd all be sleeping on the beach or some park benches, or possibly the local jails?

Can you really afford your holiday if such a small unexpected cost is too much? I hope you have all the relevant insurance as well, have you checked that your neice and nephew have travel insurance?

Egosum: a very large stag/hen party levy would be a very good idea around here. There are parts of the city centre that you don't really want to go into on a Saturday afternoon because of all the drunken stag and hen party nonsense, never mind what it's like later on.