Spain is currently stuck between a rock and a hard place. Namely, managing increasingly unsustainable levels of tourism in places that rely on the money tourism brings in.
In the Balearic islands – that’s Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera – nearly a quarter of people work directly in the tourism sector, but that doesn’t stop widespread frustration about the impact that the industry has on locals’ lives. Authorities have tried restricting new accommodation and taxing short stays, but it’s not enough for some, including the CCOO (Workers’ Commissions Union), who want that levy increased.
Tourism debates are heating up in the Balearics
This isn’t the first time a group of islanders have banded together against ‘unsustainable’ tourism practices – just last month, an open letter from Mallorcan residents pleaded foreign property investors to stay away.
Following that, the island’s capital Palma announced it would ban the opening of any new short term rentals and hostels, in hopes that more properties would be used to house people actually living in the city. Still, some say this doesn’t do enough to deter visitors, which is why the CCOO is calling for a reform to the ‘Sustainable Tourism Tax’ (SST).
The trade union wants to see the SST, which is in place across all four islands, rise to €15 (£13 or $17) per person, per day. The fee is added to any overnight stays, and is currently set at a rate of €4 per night for high-end accommodations and just €2 for hostels or campsites.
‘There is no room for more people here during the high season’
Increasing this tax, the CCOO says, would first and foremost be ‘a deterrent, so that the Balearic Islands send a clear message to the world that there is no room for more people here during the high season’.
Even if the increased fee doesn’t stop people from booking a trip, the CCOO says the extra money could go towards improving workplace conditions and housing on the islands.
The general secretary of CCOO, Jose Luis Garcia, also wants to see the ban Palma has placed on new holiday accommodation spread across all four islands – similar measures have also been taken by Alicante and Madrid. ‘To reduce summer overcrowding, it’s not enough to curb demand; we must also act on supply’, he explained, adding that spiralling rent in residential properties also needs to be addressed. ‘More than building, it’s about limiting prices, and until we do that, we won’t reverse the situation’.
The CCOO is calling for rent caps, as well as the creation of 40,000 new social homes for local residents, partly financed by the increased tourist tax.
How the rest of Spain is dealing with overtourism
The Balearic Islands aren’t the only part of Spain struggling. Elsewhere, Tenerife is introducing an ‘eco tax’ to hike Teide National Park in an effort to preserve the landscape, while San Sebastián has introduced strict new beach rules.
Locals across various cities and islands have also noted that finding housing is a struggle, which led the national government to place restrictions on short-term rentals everywhere. All short-stay holiday homes now need to be registered, and more than 100,000 illegal properties have already been removed from travel websites since the policy came into effect this April.
Avoid being part of the problem
You don’t have to cancel your upcoming trip to the Balearic Islands – just have a look at our guide on how to be a better tourist before you go. Alternatively, try out one of Europe’s most underrated destinations, or head to one of these nations that actually need your tourism right now.
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