Canary Islands Tourist Tax Proposal Rejected Just After Introduction

As European cities struggle with the challenges posed by overtourism, the debate over tourist taxes continues to escalate. While some destinations implement levies to manage the influx of visitors, others contemplate similar measures. A recent initiative in the Canary Islands aimed to address this issue but faced a swift backlash.

The Mogán City Council, located in the Canary Islands—a collective of Spanish islands off the northwest coast of Africa—sought to introduce a tax designed to fund essential infrastructure projects. This initiative would help bolster the area’s ability to accommodate its significant tourist population.

The Proposed Tax and Its Rationale

The council proposed a modest tax of 16 cents per visitor per day for those staying in hotels or other forms of tourist accommodation. According to Onalia Bueno, the mayor of Mogán, the intent behind the tax was straightforward. Mayor Bueno stated that the funds would allow tourists to contribute fairly to the municipal services and activities they utilize during their stay.

Bueno emphasized that Mogán values tourism greatly. She noted that the local government embraces tourism and aims to ensure high-quality services for visitors. By implementing this tax, the council aimed to ensure that tourists help support the local infrastructure they benefit from.

Judicial Rejection of the Tourist Tax

However, mere hours after its introduction, the proposed tax faced legal challenges. A judge, Francisco José Gómez de Lorenzo-Cáceres, ruled against the tax proposal, deeming it an