In parliament, Agustín Almodóbar, the Partido Popular deputy for Benidorm, pressed a series of questions to obtain clarity from the government about the dismissal of the Minister of State for Tourism the previous week. The questioning referenced a proposed replacement by Rosana Morillo, who serves as the Balearic Government’s Director-General of Tourism. Almodóbar contends that the legislature has already witnessed three different foreign ministers overseeing tourism matters within a single term and questions whether this rapid turnover strengthens or weakens the sector. He also observes that Kings Maroto seems to be positioning for a mayoral bid in Madrid and implies that the Tourism Department has shown indifference to the concerns of the industry.
On 5 December, the Cabinet announced the removal of the Minister of State for Tourism for personal reasons and stated that Rosana Morillo would assume the role, subject to formal confirmation at the ensuing Council of Ministers meeting. Yet, the appointment did not proceed on the Tuesday following the Cabinet session, leaving a leadership void in the department amid ongoing disruptions to tourism policy.
Almodóbar notes that this would mark three tourism ministers in the current legislature, a situation he interprets as unstable for an industry that has endured one of its harshest crises in recent memory. He emphasizes the sector’s urgent challenges and highlights the broader consequences for tourism, which remains a cornerstone of regional economies and a key driver of employment and local development across the country.
Fernando Valdés, the public official who has led the ongoing discussions on tourism policy, has spoken about an ambitious public health objective: vaccinating 70 percent of the adult population by the summer and maintaining momentum in the vaccination program beyond that milestone. The governance conversation appears to be framed by a wider concern for the stability and transparency needed in tourism leadership, particularly at a moment when policy continuity matters for confidence in the sector.
Almodóbar reiterates that a government led by a minister who is also a calendar-year candidate for Madrid City Hall, coupled with the absence of a confirmed Foreign Minister, signals a broader pattern of disregard for tourism. He calls attention to unresolved issues such as delays in European funding execution, concerns over the pace of aid implementation, the hurdles facing the Imserso program, and the overall vulnerability of the sector to policy gaps. He argues that the country cannot safeguard its top industry, its companies, its workers, and its destinations if leadership remains unsettled and inconsistent across administrations.
Tourist tax
Debate has grown around a proposed tourist levy that would affect visitors from Britain. Reports indicate that a levy could apply in one of the region’s coastal hotspots and impact British travelers as well. Beginning in April, Manchester intends to introduce a tax of one pound per person per night for stays at 74 centrally located hotels. Preferente reports broad hotel industry support for the new levy. The tax is designed to fund improvements to the visitor experience and to sustain steady economic growth in the tourism sector. It is planned to phase in over a five-year period with the aim of raising several million euros each year to reinvest in local infrastructure and services that serve visitors and residents alike.
Toni Pérez has warned that this tourism levy could erode the competitive edge of destinations, especially as central-city accommodations expand with new hotel capacity and more attractions for visitors. He notes that the measure emerged after consultations with hoteliers, who reported substantial support among business leaders for the rate. The plan envisions using the revenue to upgrade services and infrastructure to keep tourism vibrant year-round, balancing improvements with the realities of a competitive market and the needs of local communities.