Spain’s Tourism Industry Concerned That New Tourist Fee Is A Threat To Travel Sector
Spain News
Published: 21 February 2023 14:40 CET
There are growing concerns among Spain’s tourism industry as the European Union prepares to bring in a new tourist tax.
If the EU proceeds with its plans, the new tax will be implemented in November 2023, but Spain’s tourism industry has warned it faces losing millions of British holidaymakers if plans go ahead.
The new tax called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), will mean that non-EU visitors who are visiting the Schengen Area will be forced to pay seven euros (£6.20).
The permit lasts for three years and visitors can enter the Schengen member states as many times as they want, for as long as their ETIAS is valid, and they have not stayed more than 90 days in a 180-day period.
Prospective visitors from any third country, including Brits (as the UK has left the EU), will be required to complete an online form with details of health, education, and any criminal convictions, as well as pay the fee.
Only those aged under 18 and over 70 years of age will be exempt from the fee.
During its first General Assembly of the year, Juan Molas, the President of the Spanish tourism group, Mesa del Tourismo, said the tax is a “threat” and risks undermining Spain’s tourism sector.
In a statement following the meeting, the board said “The Tourism Board is especially concerned about the impact of this tax on British tourism, our main issuing market with 18 million arrivals in 2019.
“It must also be taken into account that the measure - if it goes ahead - will be added to the rest of local taxes that the tourist is already paying to visit certain European cities.”
Regions including Catalonia and the Balearics already charge an eco-tax to holidaymakers for each night's stay, placing further financial burden on those visiting the regions. The Valencian Community is also planning to implement the tax at the end of 2023.
ETIAS was first verified by the EU back in 2021 and will apply to visitors from 63 countries, outside of the European Union.
Visitors will be allowed visa-free entry for up to 90 days, during which they are not allowed to work or study, but can “engage in business and tourism activities”.
The European Commission in Brussels has stressed that ETIAS is not a visa, saying: “There is no need to go to a consulate to make an application, no biometric data is collected and significantly less information is gathered than during a visa application procedure.”
However, with the need to apply in advance and pay a fee, commonly regarded as an “e-visa”, not unlike the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) that is used for tourists to the US.
Another worry that was raised by the assembly was Lufthansa's plan to convert the Rome Fiumicino airport into its new hub for intercontinental routes to Africa, America, and Asia.
“This move would undermine the Madrid Barajas hub, which currently concentrates air traffic with Latin America and consequently, would decrease the relevance of the Spain brand,” the Tourism Board said.
Mr Molas said: “We issue a warning in relation to these two alerts that seem to be going unnoticed, but that constitute two potential threats to the competitiveness of the Spanish tourism sector.”
Sources
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/spain/spain-tourist-tax-etias-threat-travel-b2285774.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-11771473/Spain-warns-EUs-proposed-tourist-tax-Brits-threat-economy.html
