Jet2's chief is warning about potential tourism tax hikes as the protest continues. JET2 CEO Steve Heapy has expressed concern that tourism tax could rise as a result of years of overtourism demonstrations in Spain.
Speaking at a roundtable at the Spanish Embassy in London, he acknowledged his opposition to such a tourism tax, but acknowledged that the increase could be “attractive.”
“It's very worrying to me constantly creep up in response to overturism protests,” he said.
However, some attendees supported the tax, including Salou mayor Pere Granados, who defended 1 euro per person. Mayor Granados said: “Tourists pay taxes the same way residents pay taxes. When I come to London, I create waste.”
Meanwhile, Benidorm mayor Antonio Perez sought moderate tourist contributions. “Because I'm against the tourism tax, I'm denounceing visitors as someone who's hindering better cities and better services. We need to be the best place to live,” he insisted.
Despite these debates, Spain's appeal remains strong, with Mirror reports that last year, a staggering 94 million international tourists have seen the mainland and islands.
The demonstration has continued in recent months, with one shocking sign in Tenerife threatening to “kill tourists.” There have also been reports that anonymous locals are setting fires to hire cars.
In March, protesters took them to the streets of Spain's second city and targeted tourist buses in Barcelona. Many anti-tourism protests held in Mallorca in 2024 have launched protests in cities in northern Spain.
Catalan police were summoned when campaigners blocked a bus filled with tourists near the famous Sagrada Familia.
Menys Vida (more tourism, less life) who is a member of Més Turisme, began his action after holding an international press conference. After a few minutes of shutting down the bus, the protesters soaked it with a water pistol.
According to OK Diario, police disbanded some of the activists and arrested others.
This tourist liquor terror group in Mallorca took several pressure action on tourists last year, both on iconic beaches like Palma and Caro Demoro.
