The municipality of Mogánlocated 93 kilometers from Las Palmas on the island of Gran Canaria, has just announced the introduction of a tourist tax from January 2025. A first in the Spanish archipelago, it could well be emulated.
How much does it cost? A modest sum of 15 euro cents per person per day. In other words, nothing compared to the taxes in force in Barcelona or the Balearic Islands. But make no mistake: this decision is far from insignificant.
Why now?
They're fed up with having to bear the extra economic effort that local government has to make to keep services, public spaces and tourist infrastructures in optimum condition. Not to mention the need to create new facilities to remain competitive.
The mayor of Mogán, Onalia Bueno
The sinews of war: money, of course. Municipality estimates 2.7 million euros in lost revenue due to tourist influx. A substantial sum for a small town of 20,000 inhabitants, whose population swells by almost 45% in high season.
Who will foot the bill?
Surprise: everyone! Unlike other destinations that only target foreign visitors, Mogán's tax will apply to all tourists, whether from the mainland or neighboring islands. A decision that is likely to ruffle a few local feathers.
Owners of tourist accommodation will be responsible for collecting the tax and paying it to the town council every 6 months. An administrative headache ahead for hoteliers and furnished-lettings owners.
A domino effect?
The question on everyone's lips: Will Mogán be followed by other municipalities in the Canary Islands? For the moment, nothing is less certain. But the precedent has been set, and it could well be emulated.
All the more so as tourism is a major contributor to the archipelago's economy: 35.5% of GDP in 2023, or nearly 20 billion euros. It's a windfall that doesn't always benefit the communities hosting the visitors.
The legal headache
A little subtlety: Spanish municipalities do not have the power to impose a tourist tax as such. So Mogán had to trick the town into presenting this contribution as a fee for local services. A legal sleight of hand that could well be challenged.
| Figures that make you think : - 375,828: the average number of tourists visiting the Canaries each month in 2024 - 3.8%: increase in ridership compared with 2023 - 494,149: record number of visitors in March 2024 |
These figures testify to the growing attractiveness of the archipelago. But how long can the infrastructure keep up?
The spectre of overtourism
Behind this decision lies a growing concern: the overtourism. Sporadic protests against the influx of visitors are multiplying in Spain, and the Canaries are no exception.
The Mogán tax is presented as a means of financing more sustainable tourism. But will it be enough to ease tensions between locals and holidaymakers?
Valencia has already taken the plunge, with a tax ranging from 0.50 to 2 euros per night. And the list of European cities planning to introduce a tourist tax by 2025 continues to grow.
For Canary Islands mayors, the equation is a complex one. How can they preserve the appeal of their destination while ensuring harmonious development? The tourist tax appears to be an attractive solution, but it also entails risks.
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