Madrid may become the latest holiday destination in Spain to start taxing tourists.
The country's capital may soon introduce a charge for every day a visitor stays in a hotel or Airbnb in the city, as cities including Barcelona already have in place.
Reyes Maroto, who was in charge of tourism in Spain for five years, is now standing for mayor of Madrid.
She has stirred controversy by suggesting she would consider introducing a tourist tax if elected, a suggestion which has delighted locals weary of over-tourism and infuriated some hoteliers.
The former Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism said she was in favour of introducing a tourist tax, payable per night by most holidaymakers, but stressed: "The tourist tax does not have to be merely a tax, it has to be a tax that reverts to the tourism industry."
A tourist tax was first proposed for the city in 2015 and then later in 2018, but it has never been introduced.
The Madrid Hotel Business Association immediately signalled its opposition to the idea, claiming it would directly harm the hotel sector and visitors.
"Madrid is booming and becoming one of the most desired destinations for national and international tourists with a large hotel investment, without the need for a tourist tax," said its president, Gabriel Garcia Alonso.
Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, which include Mallorca and Ibiza, implemented the tax in 2012 and 2016, respectively.
In November 2022, Valencia approved a tax of its own which will come into force in December of this year and will range between 0.5 and two euros per day, depending on the type and category of the accommodation.
Galicia and San Sebastian are two other regions of Spain considering introducing a tourist tax.
Meanwhile a tax of this nature has already been in place in Barcelona, where tourists are required to pay €4 (£3.50) a night. This is due to increase by at least €1.50 by April 1, 2024.
As of this month tourists to Manchester have had to pay to stay in what is a UK first.
From April 1 everyone who stays in a city centre hotel or holiday apartment has had to fork out £1 per night, per room.
Officially called the ‘City Visitor Charge’, it is hoped the tax won't stop people from heading to Manchester and will raise £3million a year.
Edinburgh is about to introduce a £2 a night tourist tax after local officials voted through plans for it in November last year.
Oxford, Bath and Hull have considered a similar move in recent years, but opted against it.
Venice charges visitors between €1 and €5 depending on the star rating of their accommodation.
The watery city is looking at charging day trippers up to €10 per person to visit in a bid to ease over tourism.
