{"id":25982629,"date":"2025-01-25T09:26:47","date_gmt":"2025-01-25T08:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/isla-travel.de\/?p=25982629"},"modified":"2025-02-17T23:39:05","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T22:39:05","slug":"marga-prohens-retreat-on-tourist-tax-instead-of-bold-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/isla-travel.de\/en\/mallorca-magazin\/marga-prohens-rueckzug-bei-der-touristensteuer-statt-mutiger-schritte\/","title":{"rendered":"Marga Prohens: Retreat on the tourist tax instead of bold steps"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mallorca in January, the air is clear, the decisions less so. As recently as October 2024, the conservative Prime Minister Marga Prohens<\/strong> announced that Tax for sustainable tourism<\/strong> - better known as Tourist tax<\/strong> - in the summer months. The measure was not intended to fill the Balearic Islands' coffers, but to send a clear message: less mass tourism, more sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hotels
\u00a9Monika Guzikowska<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But now, just a few months later, there doesn't seem to be much left of this \"bold step\". At the tourism trade fair Fitur<\/strong> in Madrid, Prohens surprisingly explained that the time for implementation was too short. The plan? Postponed for now. \"There must be limits and measures must be introduced to stop the growth,\" she emphasized in an interview with esRadio<\/strong>. But: They don't want to push through the tax increase without consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waiting for the round table<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Prime Minister announced that she would first review the results of the Round table on the future of tourism<\/strong> to wait for the February 27<\/strong> will meet again. There, various stakeholders will discuss measures to curb mass tourism. Only then will the next steps be taken - and the decree originally planned for February with Emergency measures<\/strong> postpone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to an increase in the tourist tax, the planned measures also included an increase in the Wastewater charges for large consumers<\/strong>. What will become of these ideas remains unclear for the time being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Divided reactions: Praise and criticism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The announcement of the tax increase in the fall had already caused heated discussions. The Fehm Hoteliers Association<\/strong> sharply criticized the plans: \"This will only punish holidaymakers who opt for legal offers.\" In addition, such a measure is not a sign of capacity to act, but an unnecessary intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vacation rentals<\/strong>They welcomed the idea, as they believe a higher tourist tax could reduce \"low-quality\" tourism. Fewer cheap party tourists, more consideration for the island - an approach that many of them would support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A balancing act for Mallorca<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The strategic withdrawal of Prohens shows how difficult it is to find a balance between the environment, the economy and tourism. On the one hand, many locals and environmental organizations are calling for immediate action against overuse. On the other hand, tourism remains the island's most important source of income - a risky game with the balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion: A postponed restart?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether the Prime Minister will actually take the bold steps she has announced remains uncertain for the time being. The only thing that is clear is that Mallorca continues to face major challenges in terms of making tourism more sustainable while at the same time safeguarding economic interests. The next few weeks will show whether the strategic retreat will turn into a landmark decision after all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

isla<\/span> Reading tip:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n