In the Provincial Assembly of Alicante, a group of commitments was highlighted as the speaker criticized the provincial PP’s celebration of suspending the tourist tax. The remark pointed out that while the tax was paused, mayors were actually raising taxes in the municipalities they govern, naming Pérez, the head of the provincial institution and the mayor of Benidorm, Toni, in particular.
He also described Pérez’s celebration of the supposed disappearance of this municipal levy, which only the city itself collects, as not respectful. The Valencian coalition framed the tourist tax as a widely recognized instrument that local governments use to secure fairer and more sustainable funding. They argued that abandoning this tool would undermine municipal finances and community services.
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From Benidorm’s perspective, Pérez, while serving as mayor, approved a 23 percent increase in the Property Tax (IBI) rate at the October general assembly. The same period also saw a 70 percent rise in the garbage collection fee that the city council administers. Compromís maintained that the tourist tax project was needed more than ever, especially as municipal expenditures grew due to multiple pressures and limited budgetary space. They added that many municipalities were already implementing tax hikes for 2024.
Consequently, the coalition argued that the move reflected a broader pattern: a trend where local authorities, faced with rising costs, resort to tax adjustments to cover essential services and infrastructure. The discussion underscored the tension between revenue-raising measures and the political optics of increasing levies on residents during a period of heightened public scrutiny.
Consell to approve the abolition of the Valencian Community’s tourist tax on Friday
PP-led municipalities were cited as the most likely to pursue tax increases. In the analysis, it was noted that across the province, several MPs associated with the Popular Party had voted for notable changes in the share of government funding at the provincial level. Towns such as Benidorm, where a 23 percent IBI rise and a 70 percent increase in the garbage surcharge were recorded, and Benissa, under Arturo Poquet’s road leadership, saw IBI growth by 45 percent or higher in certain years. The coalition highlighted these figures as evidence of a broader strategy to shift the tax burden onto residents.
Similarly, La Nucía, led by sports administrator Bernabé Canó, was described as having increased the garbage tax by 37 percent, positioning it as among the highest in the Marina Baixa region. Loreto Serrano, a spokesperson for the popular parties, pointed to Santa Pola where the IBI rose by 20 percent and the garbage collection fee increased as well. The overall narrative suggested that a majority of deputies associated with the Popular Party treated tax increases as an expected burden on local communities rather than as a temporary adjustment.
In this context, Compromís argued that the tax hikes demonstrated an irresponsible tendency, accusing the PP of asking townspeople to shoulder the costs associated with a tourist season that was supposed to bring external income, not a higher tax bill for residents. The debate emphasized a clash over the best way to fund municipal services while maintaining affordable living conditions for residents and visitors alike.
spokesman
In the Provincial Assembly, Ximo Perles, representing the Valencian coalition, contended that the PP’s stance resembled a seasonal welcome sign with a paradox. He argued that the party’s leadership did not grasp how, when it flaunted political banners, it choked Valencian families by increasing taxes and applying financial strain. The comment underscored a perception that the party prioritized measures perceived as favorable to visitors and tourism over the needs of local households.
Perles noted that the tourist tax exists in many places around the world and has produced tangible benefits. He cited Catalonia as an example, where the tax system supports government services while bringing in significant revenue. The assertion highlighted that Benidorm could collect substantial sums through tourism-related fees, yet the parties were debating whether to ease or sustain tax practices affecting residents. He remarked that it was hard to understand why the PP would push for higher costs on locals while maintaining a festive tone toward visitors.
The discussion pointed to a broader expectation that tourism-related charges be balanced with fair treatment of residents. The coalition suggested that a well-implemented tourist tax could relieve pressure on the municipal budget, ensuring that tourism generates net benefits for the community rather than simply shifting costs onto residents and local businesses. The exchange framed the issue as a test of political responsibility in balancing growth with affordability.