According to Maroto, the capital Spain attracts millions of tourists every year, and it is more than reasonable to introduce a tourist tax: with its help, excessive tourism can be controlled. However, hoteliers frowned upon the move.
As soon as Maroto announced her plans for a tourist tax, the Madrid Hospitality Association opposed the idea, saying the tax would directly harm the industry and discourage travelers.
With your On the other hand, Maroto clarified that “the tourist tax will not just be a tax.” It will become a tool that restores the city's tourism industry. However, she was unable to give even an approximate amount that is planned to be charged to visitors to the city.
This is not the first time that the authorities are discussing the tourist tax for Madrid. It was first proposed in 2015 and then again in 2018. However, both attempts were blocked by business.
While Madrid has not yet decided on a tourist tax, several regions of Spain are already requiring holidaymakers to pay additional amounts.
Since 2012, Barcelona has made it mandatory for all tourists to pay a special fee in addition to the region-wide tourist tax.
The fee charged by Barcelona is intended to help the city cope with excessive tourism, and the amount depends on the type of accommodation in which guests preferred to stay. Tourists staying in rented accommodation are required to pay an additional 4 euros per night, and for those staying in five-star hotels, the bar has been raised to 5.25 euros.
Although the current fee levied in Barcelona, someone may seem high, the authorities have already announced that the tax will increase in the next two years.
In addition to Barcelona, the Balearic Islands also introduced a tourist tax. It was introduced in 2016, and currently all foreigners over 16 years of age are required to pay a fee of 1 to 4 euros per night.
Valencia is also planning to introduce a tourist tax. Local authorities have said that the fee will begin to be collected at the end of 2023. Its size — from 50 cents to 2 euros per night.