A UA report commissioned by Tourism lays out the arguments for enforcing the tourism tax
The debate in Valencia’s parliamentary circles has moved to a pivotal moment. Spokespersons from the Economy, Budget and Treasury Committee discussed the amendments tied to the tourism tax, keeping their stance intact despite cross-party pressure. The coalition partners on the left and their allies attempted to shape the conversation, whileCenter-right forces joined the effort to stall the proposal. Yet the balance of power within the parliamentary majority appears resilient, and the roadmap agreed upon by Botànic remains the guiding thread for the process. Only proposals from the law’s signatories, described as reasonable, found a hearing; revisions asking to repeal individual articles were dismissed. Nothing in the session signaled a fundamental shift from the established plan.
The new clarifications proposed by Botànic aimed to answer municipal questions, reinforce the voluntary nature of the tax, and align the accommodation classification with the Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Act. In practice, the rate would not take effect before 2024, following a one-year drafting moratorium due to a complex situation that persisted after the pandemic and amid energy and inflation challenges.
Parliamentary records show the committee where tourism tax discussions unfold. The session drew attention to the economic debate around a measure that impacts the hospitality sector and local communities alike.
The spokesperson for Tourism in Parliament, Manuel Perez Phenol, criticized the rate as a new levy that would burden a sector contributing roughly 3.9 billion euros in tax revenue each year. He warned that broad segments of society could oppose it, hinting at a potential withdrawal of support if the tax persists. Cs representative Charles Grace questioned the rationale behind imposing a levy on an industry that strengthens the public coffers and sustains many jobs, cautioning against policies that could hamper a thriving business model. He stressed that the climate around the proposal should not be manipulated while acknowledging the need to address underlying economic realities. Vox’s Ana Maria Cerdan urged placing the bill aside to avoid further disruption, while Francis Colomer from PSPV voiced opposition to the tax.
Francesc Colomer: “I will never impose the tourist tax and I will not stay to see it”
The left argued that the regulation targets tourism frustration—the idea that visitors benefit from services while locals bear the costs—yet the chorus of opposition from the right persisted. Trini Castello (PSPV) argued that the regulation seeks to curb tourism-related grievances, pointing out that similar approaches exist in European cities and regions such as Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. The aim, Castello suggested, is to ensure that visitors contribute to the services they use so Valencians do not shoulder the burden alone. The measure was framed as voluntary, with supporters of Unides Podem describing the proposal as reasonable and the rate as modest.
As the discussion progressed, lawmakers prepared to advance the rate through the final stages of the legislative process. The opinion would head to the plenary session of the Cortes before a definitive endorsement, with a timetable indicating a final decision within weeks.
“You are very bad people”
The debates, though intense, included moments of humor. On Friday, after amendments were voted on, the commission chair Eva Ortiz, representing the Popular party, urged vice-president Jesús Sellés to serve as rapporteur for the tourism tax opinion ahead of the plenary session, suggesting a leadership role that aligned with Botànic’s agenda. A light exchange followed between participants, with some joking about who would lead the effort, easing the tension with a playful note. The exchange reflected the ongoing friction between political blocs while underscoring a shared interest in how the tax would be implemented, if at all.
In the end, the path remains to move forward with a rate set to be discussed again in the plenary, where broader consensus is hoped to emerge. The process continues, framed around the central question of balancing revenue needs with the economic vitality of a tourism-driven economy.
Note: The dialogue and procedural steps described reflect parliamentary proceedings aimed at determining the fate of the tourism tax and do not imply any final outcome until a definitive plenary decision is reached. The discussion illustrates how municipal considerations and national policy priorities intersect in shaping local economic policy in Valencia.