Popular holiday spot to impose tourist tax on visitors from next year

Valencia, which has been described as the "jewel of Spain" by @anuroopabanerjee on TripAdvisor, is a popular holiday destination and welcomes a massive 2.2 million visitors every

year. The region has several vacationing hotspots including the Costa Blanca which is visited by thousands of Britons every year. However, next year, the popular region could impose a

tourist tax, according to Condé Nast Traveller, which will tax travellers staying in all types of accommodation in the region - including Britons. The tourist tax could impact popular

resorts in the region as well as the City of Valencia itself. The tourist tax, which will be called the Valencian Tax on Tourist Stays (IVET), will reportedly come into force in 2024.

Visitors travelling to Valencia will have to pay between €0.50 (43p) and €2 (£1.73) per person each night depending on the type of accommodation, according to Wales Online. The fee will

depend on whether you choose to stay in a high-end hotel or in a rental and will only be charged for a maximum of seven days. The tax, which is already implemented in Ibiza, Majorca, Menorca

and Formentera, will also charge cruise ship passengers. Cruise ship passengers will need to pay €1.50 (£1.30) each day, according to The Sun. However, some disabled individuals and

children under 16 will be exempt from the tax. The lucrative tax could bring in a massive €30million (£26million) a year to the region. Tourist tax is already imposed on tourists in certain

countries and cities including Vienna in Austria, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in The Netherlands. Tourist tax was implemented by certain governments all over the world to generate

income and combat over-tourism. Tourist tax is being introduced in more and more destinations across the globe and can help to reduce the negative impact of tourism. According to Euronews,

Barcelona's tourist tax will also increase next year. City authorities announced the municipal fee will rise from €2.75 (£2.38) to €3.25 (£2.81) on April 1, 2024. The tax applies to

visitors staying in official tourist accommodation with the funds going towards improving the city's infrastructure.