So-called overtourism has triggered a variety of anger in Spain this 12 months with protests within the Balearic Islands, Canaries, Barcelona and Málaga. Whereas there have been many concepts to attempt to curb the quantity of holiday makers to the nation and profit extra from the ever-increasing numbers, one of many least in style has been the introduction of vacationer taxes.
At present, vacationer taxes have solely been launched in Spain in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. They have been additionally launched after which scrapped within the Valencia Group.
Final week Asturias’ left-wing regional authorities, shaped by the PSOE and IU, introduced that it intends to impose a vacationer tax on guests too.
Asturias acquired a document 2.7 million guests in 2023 and consultants imagine it is going to be even greater in 2024.
It goals to offset the elevated prices of operating public companies in locations with extra guests, however crucially it is going to be as much as every particular person city corridor in Asturias to resolve whether or not to cost vacationers the tax or not.
Standard cities in Asturias corresponding to Cudillero, Cangas de Onís and Valdés have already proven curiosity in introducing the tax, though authorities within the area’s two essential cities, Oviedo and Gijón, are in opposition to it.
There may also be a rise in vacationer taxes in Barcelona. At present, vacationers to the Catalan capital pay two sorts of taxes – one to the area and one to town.
Metropolis tax, which is charged for as much as seven nights stands at €3.25 per evening, however from October 2024, this may go as much as €4 per evening, which is a rise of €0.75. They are going to pay this municipal vacationer tax no matter whether or not they keep in a mattress and breakfast, on a cruise ship or in five-star resort.
On prime of this guests may also must pay tax on stays in vacationer institutions of the Generalitat. This ranges from €1 per individual per evening for stays in inns with lower than 4 stars and as much as €3.50 per evening for 5-star institutions.
Which means that from this autumn, vacationers to Barcelona will find yourself pay between €5 and €7.50 per evening.
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There was a lot speak of overtourism in Spain recently that many neglect the opposite facet of the story – the elements of the nation which are empty.
Not too long ago, one of the underpopulated areas in Spain, Extremadura, made headlines when it stated it could pay digital nomads to maneuver there, serving to to extend the inhabitants and jump-start native economies.
The agricultural depopulation of Spain’s ‘inside’ has lengthy been a socioeconomic and demographic downside
In accordance with Spain’s Nationwide Institute of Statistics (INE), roughly 22 million Spaniards dwell within the 100 most populated municipalities in Spain. Which means that round half of the overall Spanish inhabitants is concentrated in 4 p.c of the nationwide territory.
During the last decade, 6,232 municipalities have seen their inhabitants decline. This equals three out of each 4 municipal areas.
Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Extremadura and Aragón are the elements of Spain the place this depopulation is felt probably the most. Right here, many individuals transfer away from the countryside and smaller cities looking for employment, higher paid jobs and the place they will discover extra alternatives.
Depopulation impacts every little thing from the shortage of banking and healthcare companies to native economies and the social cloth of those rural societies.
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In one other information story that caught our eye, the Balearic Island of Formentera can be internet hosting what it calls “the one Zero Wastefestival on this planet” from October 4th to sixth.
Whereas different festivals additionally declare to sustainable, the SON Estrella Galicia Posidonia occasion was not too long ago awarded TRUE Zero Waste Platinum certification. Working with native companions, it’s open to solely 350 individuals and provides its visitors an opportunity to find the island by actions and guided walks – dedicated to a zero waste coverage with a give attention to discount and reuse.
The occasion provides a programme of musical performances, a tasting menu curated by a Michelin Star chef and actions throughout completely different elements of the island, which is able to stay secret till October 4th. Tickets may be purchased right here.
The pageant goals to boost consciousness of the safety of Posidonia meadows across the island.