In a context where eco-taxes are gaining prominence as a key fiscal tool in European tourist destinations, Liverpool has become the first European city after Mogán to once again focus on the fiscal strategy of tourist municipalities in the Canary Islands, especially in the south of Gran Canaria, where tourism is a key pillar of the local economy. In Gran Canaria, where international tourism is once again approaching record numbers with more than 2,8 million visitors by March 2025, the financial sustainability of the tourism model is at the center of institutional debate, with Mogán being one of the most active municipalities seeking solutions.
Mogán maintains its roadmap for mechanisms to strengthen the financing of public services linked to tourism, without ruling out fiscal instruments that would support the impact of visitors on infrastructure, the coastline, or mobility. Although the municipality is not currently considering implementing a tourist charge, it is immersed in an agenda to raise targeted funds for investments in sustainability, accessibility, and digitalization.
This summer, Liverpool City Council will implement a nightly tourist tax of approximately €2,34, which all visitors must pay when checking into hotels, hostels, or tourist apartments in the city. The measure, promoted by the Accommodation BID, an organization representing 83 accommodations in the British city, aims to raise up to £9,2 million over two years, or just over €10,7 million, according to initial projections.
The goal, according to the Liverpool BID Company, is to reinvest 73% of the revenue into improving the tourist experience, promoting internationally, and strengthening the local industry. The initiative was approved with 53% of the participating establishments and 59% of the support, which was enough to activate the plan.
Meanwhile, the debate over a possible tourist tax in the Canary Islands, similar to what is already applied in the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, and Lisbon, continues. Industry associations on the islands are reticent, but local councils are demanding greater financial responsibility from tourists in maintaining the environment and the services they enjoy. In Liverpool, the measure has not been without controversy. Social media users have already expressed their displeasure at having to pay an extra tax during peak season. However, the local government insists that the measure will help consolidate the destination's competitiveness and preserve its cultural and hotel offerings.
