Brits face new daily charge in Canary Islands as tourists threaten to boycott holidays

The Canary Islands could impose a tourist tax

British tourists could be landed with a new daily charge while holidaying in the Canary Islands.

Authorities in Lanzarote and Tenerife are reportedly ‘discussing’ ways to claw back cash after a surge of visitors. The popular destinations, which also include eight islands, are thinking about introducing a tourist tax for Brits seeking sun.

Fernando Clavijo, Canary Islands President has hinted a tourist tax is on the table. He told reporters: “It is true that the ecotax is not included in the government program, but it is also true that we are willing to discuss it; the government will always engage in dialogue.” BirminghamLive reports he added: “It is a successful model that has generated a lot of employment and wealth, but it is also true that we have to continue improving it.”

The president emphasised the need for enhancement and said: “We have to deepen the added value, the increase in turnover, profit, and wealth. Therefore, all this will be discussed openly without holding back and no taboo subjects.”

Tensions are rising among UK tourists in these beloved hotspots. Ahead of the April 20 protests scheduled for Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Tenerife, anti-tourist sentiment has been seen through graffiti across the islands. In a more drastic move, a group of Canarians began an “indefinite” hunger strike last Friday by a church in La Laguna, Tenerife.

Victor Martin, a representative of Canarias Se Agota who is leading the protest without taking part in the hunger strike himself, said: “The hunger strike is indefinite and will continue until the two macro projects we’re fighting against are stopped for ever and the regional agreement agrees in writing to sit down and talk to us about a tourist moratorium. A tragedy could occur and someone could die if the government don’t listen.”

British holidaymakers are not very happy about Spanish breaks becoming more expensive and some have recently threatened to boycott.

The Mirror recently reported how people planning holidays in Europe this summer will need to stretch their budget that little bit further, as a number of European destinations are upping their tourist tax charges.

Most cities already have some form of levy in place for tourists staying in hotels, which tourists usually pay at the check-in desk. But in recent years a number of destinations have been upping the charges and adding in new rules to combat over-tourism, including popular cities such as Paris and Venice, with charges also affecting hostels, B&Bs and furnished holiday rentals.

Visitors to Greece and the islands will be required to pay a new tax at their accommodation on arrival. It ranges from 50 cents per night for apartments to €4 per night for a five-star hotel.