The Government closes the door to an increase in the ecotax
The Minister of Tourism, Jaume Bauzà, assures that "it is time to manage the tax well" to justify the Executive's refusal
PalmaTwo more euros in high season. This was the proposal that the Government put on the table in March 2025 to raise the eco-tax. A year and a half later, the Executive does not foresee this option, as stated this Monday by the Minister of Tourism, Jaume Bauzà, after the meeting of the Commission for the Promotion of Sustainable Tourism. "Our efforts are aimed at improving the management of the Sustainable Tourism Tax [ITS]. It is more necessary to manage it than to raise it," said Bauzà, in addition to remarking that the Government is focused on mobilizing and executing the resources generated by the tax.
Asked about the change in the Government's criteria, the minister referred to the lack of parliamentary support. "The balances at that time meant that this proposal was left out of approval," he commented, and remarked that "other initiatives were approved to improve quality and against illegal supply." Regarding whether the Government will support the PSIB's proposal to raise it, Bauzà hinted that the socialists will not have the votes of the PP. "We are focused on improving management," he limited himself to reiterating.
More tourists because they come for less time
Regarding the possibility of the Balearic Islands breaking a new tourist record in 2026 and reaching the figure of 20 million visitors, the minister pointed out that "we cannot focus only on the number of tourists passing through the airport and not take into account other factors, such as them staying for less time". "It may be that we reach 20 million, because people visit us more times for less time and that causes visits to the airport to increase", he added.
Bauzà recalled that the Government is demanding airport co-management from the Spanish executive, but did not answer whether he would be willing to propose a reduction in the number of votes in the event of achieving this competence. "We want co-management to have a voice and a vote", he said, and assured that, in the event that Alberto Núñez Feijóo is president of the state government in 2027, this demand will be carried forward. "We will demand co-management whoever governs", he remarked. "I don't know if he will give it to us. Today we are talking about ITS", he added immediately after.
200 million euros for 65 projects
The Plenary of the Commission for the Promotion of Sustainable Tourism (ITS) approved this Monday the 2026-2027 Ordinary Annual Plan, and has allocated 199,870,546.53 euros for the financing of 65 new strategic projects across all the Balearic Islands.
The Government has mobilized 1.035 billion euros distributed among 357 projects since the tax came into force, 66 of which have been awarded this legislative term.
Regarding the distribution of the 2026-2027 Plan, the main axes will be:
- Water and Environment (105 million), with: key projects such as the connection of the Palma-Marratxí desalination plant, the expansion of the Andratx IDAM, the Formentera outfall, the new Portinatx WWTP, the Ciutadella Sud treatment plant and a budget of 3 million euros to repair leaks in the distribution networks. In the environmental area (66 million), the Posidonia 2030 project, actions at the Cabrera National Park and agri-food aid stand out.
- Historical and Cultural Heritage (37.1 million) for the recovery of assets such as the Almallutx estate in Escorca, Sa Fàbrica Nova in Sóller, the Son Fadrinet archaeological site in Campos, the musealization of the META Center and the castle of Santa Àgueda in Menorca, interventions in churches in Ibiza and the rehabilitation of Can Ramon and the Cultural Center of Sant Ferran in Formentera.
- Responsible Tourism and Fight against Intrusiveness (28.5 million) in high-influx areas (Calvià, Palma, Llucmajor and Sant Antoni) for police reinforcement, inspection and video surveillance. It also includes a Shock Plan against intrusiveness in Ibiza and the installation of cameras at ports and airports for the detection of pirate transport.
- Urban Impact and Mobility, with the renovation of the Plaça Major in Palma, the Tirador velodrome park, and an allocation of 25 million euros for the acquisition of new electric train units for SFM.