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ISSUE 013 IssueB #146
Friday 22nd September
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Marina Baixa
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A tax too far
By Jack Troughton VALENCIA’S plan to impose a tourist tax on visitors coming to the region has met with bitter opposition over fears it will have a serious impact on a sector crucial to the economy.
Alicante politicians and hoteliers are becoming increasingly vocal in a bid to stop the move and maintain it will hit tourism, an essential part of the economy - and have called for a ‘common sense’ approach instead. Tourism taxes are already levied
in other parts of Spain. Catalonia introduced a charge in 2012 and the penalty applies to any facility where visitors stay overnight, whether it is a five star hotel or a campsite. The tax raises some €40 million a year for the region, which includes the tourist hotspot of Barcelona, one of the world’s most popular destinations. And the Generalitat Valenciana points out that visitor numbers to Catalan have not suffered, the money raised being used to promote the area internationally and to protect the environment. Eduardo Dolon, Alicante’s spokesman on tourism, believes the tax would be “a mistake” and “would have a negative impact on tourism which is the biggest industry on the Costa Blanca, creating jobs and wealth for the area.” Continued Page... 2
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