Spanish holiday hotspot to cost more from 2024 due to new rules in place

VALENCIA has approved a new tourist tax which will impact holidaymakers from 2024.

Brits have been warned their family holiday could cost as much as £50 extra due to the new charges.

The charge will affect tourists who are staying in hotels, campsites and hostels as well as home rentals and cruise ships.

The new charge is likely to cost tourists staying in a luxury hotel around €2 (£1.72) a day and €1.50 (£1.29) for cruise ship passengers, and €0.50 (43p) for anyone camping.

It is understood that holidaymakers will only be charged for a maximum of seven days, and under 16s aren’t affected.

The plans would add an extra €28 (£24) onto a week’s stay for two adults with young children.

For a family of four who have two teenage children over the age of 16, holidays will increase by €56 (£48) per week.

Spanish politician Ximo Puig said the tax would be a ‘minor’ cost to tourists.

In Europe, 21 countries impose a tax on tourists, and similar charges already exist in Cataluna and the Balearics.

Despite prior use of the tax in Spain, many businesses and tourist venues in Valencia have been opposed to the regulations.

According to The Olive Press a spokesperson from the Hosbec Hoteliers said: “This is an untimely tax that comes after tourism suffered during the Covid pandemic and now we have inflation pushing up the cost for goods and services.”

The organisation believes it would lose its competitiveness over other Spanish holiday hotspots.

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

As it stands, Valencia is eager to impose the tax on tourists arriving into the city but other destinations aren’t as keen.

Benidorm and Alicante – popular hotspots for Brits looking for a break in the sun – are thought to be opposed to the new tax.

Until 2024, holidaymakers can still enjoy Valencia‘s stunning beaches, Disney-style attractions and cheap pizzas without coughing up the tourist tax.

Brits can still soak up the sun in Benidorm, Alicante and many other Spanish hotspots.