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‘Eco-tax’ was wrongly spent
ABTA Convention Special: According to the Spanish tourist authorities, money raised from the Balearics’ controversial eco-tax has been used to fund political campaigns, rather than help the environment.
The eco-tax was introduced in May, but is now being abolished on November 1 following the election of a different governing political party in Spain.
Speaking at a press conference at the ABTA Convention, director general of tourism, Eduardo Gamero said the tax collected around 40 million euros this year. He said it was supposed to be put towards reducing the impact of tourism on the island environments. Instead, Mr Gamero said the money was spent by the then leading party on advertising campaigns for the party and on buying property- although he did not enlarge on that.
Mr Gamero also blamed the tax on a 20% to 30% drop in visitors from Germany, who resented paying the charge.
Also speaking at the press conference was Thomas Cook UK chief executive, Manny Fontenla-Novoa (pictured) who said the tax was also badly received by UK holidaymakers.
Mr Gamero added that the abolition of the eco-tax does not mean the party was not going to pay attention to the environment. He said it would still do its best to make tourists sustainable. He added: “We are not going to try and take money out of their [holidaymakers] pockets, like the old tax, which was only paid by some tourists.” According to Mr Gamero, only tourists staying in licensed properties paid the tax.
Read our previous stories:
17-July-2003 Eco tax ‘damaged image’, says Spanish minister
9-June-2003 Balearics eco-tax to be dumped
19-Feb-2002 Tourism Concern criticises industry reaction to Balearics eco-tax
19-Apr-2001 Spain’s Balearics approve tourist eco-tax
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