Mogán plans to implement Spain’s first local tourist tax
The municipality of Mogán in Gran Canaria is set to implement Spain’s first local tourist fee, pending approval in a council meeting on December 12. If approved, the tax, called TATOS (Tourism and Sustainability Fee), will begin in January 2025.
The initial fee is set at €0.15 per person per day for visitors staying in tourist accommodations. Revenues will fund tourism-related services, infrastructure, and sustainability projects within Mogán, aiming to ease the financial burden on local taxpayers while maintaining high-quality public services.
Mayor Onalia Bueno emphasized the fee's necessity, citing the strain on local resources caused by Mogán’s significant tourist influx, which accounts for nearly 45% of its total population. “We cannot continue to rely solely on local residents to cover the costs of maintaining a competitive and sustainable destination,” she said.
Bueno highlighted that, unlike, regional tourism taxes in places like Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, this fee is permitted under Spanish law as a municipal charge for specific public services. She clarified that every euro collected will be reinvested in the local tourism sector, including environmental projects and infrastructure improvements.
The tax will be reviewed annually and adjusted based on tourism numbers and associated costs. For example, if Mogán requires €20 million for tourism-related upgrades in a given year, the fee could rise to €1.14 per person per day.
With this move, Mogán aims to set a precedent for sustainable tourism funding in Spain, ensuring visitors contribute fairly to the upkeep of the destination they enjoy.
