New charge being added to millions of Spain holidays

THE Valencia region of Spain is to go-ahead with a new tourist tax which will impact holidaymakers.

The new charge is likely to cost tourists staying in a luxury hotel around €2 (£1.67) a day and €1.50 (£1.25) for cruise ship passengers.

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Despite growing opposition, the Valencia regional government says it will publish the order in the coming weeks, but will not implement the charge straight away due to the effects on tourism of the Ukraine crisis.

The estimated timescale for the tax coming into effect is the tail end of 2023 or early 2024, though it is expected to not be compulsory.

Instead, it will be up to individual councils to decide if they want to charge the tax to holidaymakers visiting their local area.

A popular hotspot for Brits looking for a break in the sun, Benidorm is thought to be opposed to introducing the tax.

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The tourist charge would be on a sliding scale depending on the type of accommodation.

The Valencian government says that in Europe, 21 of the 30 countries have a tax of this type. The income will be put back into sustainable improvements so that the region "remains popular and competitive."

The tourist venues affected by the regulations are hotel establishments, campsites and motorhome overnight areas, rural houses, hostels and campsites on private estates with enabled housing, as well as blocks and sets of tourist homes and cruise ships.

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There will be some exemptions to the tax, such as those under 16 years of age.

The daily cost per person ranges between €2 for luxury hotels and apartments, and €0.5 for accommodation up to three stars, hostels.

Tourist cruises or yacht accommodation will see a cost of €1.5 per day per person.

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Spanish politician, Ximo Puig, confirmed that the tourist tax will not be applied immediately in the Valencian community because "it is not the right time."

He went on to defend the tax for being being a "minor" cost to tourists and that it will be urban cities that it will mostly be implemented.