Tourist Tax Proposal: Negotiation Channel Open

Podemos Euskadi proposes seven amendments to the tourist tax bill, opening negotiations with the governments of the three territories to reach an agreement.

Generic image of hands signing a negotiation or agreement.
IA

Generic image of hands signing a negotiation or agreement.

Podemos Euskadi has put forward seven amendments to modify the proposed provincial regulation on the implementation of a tourist tax, thereby opening a negotiation channel with the governments of the three territories to mitigate tourism's negative impact.

The political group stated that these proposed improvements would help Euskadi “compensate for the negative impact that tourism is generating among citizens,” demonstrating their willingness to reach an agreement. Thus, Podemos shows its readiness to achieve consensus with the parties forming the governments of Gipuzkoa, Bizkaia, and Araba.
With the presented modifications, the group proposes more progressive tourist rates and greater flexibility for local councils. This would provide more options “to municipalities that suffer the most from the burdens of tourism” or “to those with very low tourist intensity, freeing them from bureaucratic load.”

"We believe that the exemption should also be extended to the accompanying person."

a group spokesperson
The first amendment includes the exemption from payment for individuals with a disability degree of 65% or higher, or dependency grades two and three, and a single companion. Additionally, they propose extending the rates for tourist-use housing up to 6.5 euros per night. The general coordinator of the group advocates for the principle that “those who generate more impact should pay more.”
Furthermore, the maximum number of days for which the tax would be applicable would be set at 6 days, one more than in the proposed provincial regulation. A group spokesperson explained that “it makes no sense to encourage long stays while limiting visitors' contribution.” They have also suggested that municipalities with between 25 and 75 establishments could subsidize up to 100% of the tax, depending on the local council's discretion.
The general coordinator has revealed their willingness to adapt the amendments based on the differences and conditions of each territory, opening the doors to negotiation with other groups. Tourist-use housing has been a central focus of the amendments, as Podemos denounces that the increasing prevalence of this type of housing “directly affects” the life projects of the population. Vitoria serves as a clear example, where all housing diverted to tourist use is “simultaneously being deprived from the Vitoria population.”