Families furious after Spain sneaks through new £70 TOURISM TAX for holidaymakers

A TOURIST tax is about to hit families in the pocket as they travel to Spain this summer.

Holidaymakers have been left furious after being told they could be charged up to £70 for taking a break in countries like Majorca and Ibiza this summer.

Balearic island authorities agreed the new duty for “sustainable tourism” in March, long after many had booked their breaks.

But, whether booked before the decision or not — everyone has to pay.

The fee will be charged for anyone holidaying after July 1.

Upon arrival, each person will be made to pay two euros per night they plan to stay, directly to their hotel.

The exact rate paid depends upon the hotel’s star rating.

A hotel with between one and three stars will cost one euro per day per person — and two for those hotels rated four and five stars.

The charges, which also apply to Formentera and Menorca, halve after day nine of a stay.

This means a family of four with kids over 16 could pay up to £70 extra over a fortnight.

And villas, campsites and private houses are not exempt.

Furious families told The Sun tourism bosses are cashing in on a surge in bookings to Spain after the decline of terror-hit tourist destinations Egypt and Tunisia.

Win Taylor, 70, from Belper, Derbys, found out about the charge after she booked a break to Majorca in September.

She told the newspaper: “Our travel company sent us a warning email. We knew nothing about it.

“By now most people have booked their holidays so they have us over a barrel. You feel like they are cashing in.”

People holidaying in Malta will also be charged a new fee from June of 40p per night, although it will be capped at five euros.

Authorities say the funds will go towards protecting the islands’ natural resources.

Trade body Abta said it would write to them to ask exactly what this means.

The tourist tax has been around for many years already being charged in countries like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Greece.

However, it is little known about as it is usually included in the hotel cost.

Air BnB properties have also started to include the fee in Paris.

A Tourist Tax also applies in Barcelona and the rest of Catalonia, with nightly rates ranging from €0.45 to €2.50.

The money is split between tourism boards and town halls.