Maó cruise plan: passengers could pay €4 extra

More than 100,000 cruise passengers have arrived at the port of Maó, Menorca, in 2025. Now the PSOE wants the town to be able to charge cruise passengers up to €4 extra. The money would go directly to the municipal budget if the council approves the charge.

The proposal is part of the Socialist parliamentary group’s amendments to Palma’s Capitality Law. It would add a surcharge to the Sustainable Tourism Tax, known by its Spanish initials ITS, for passengers arriving on cruise ships.

Town hall points to arrival-day costs

Mayor Héctor Pons said ship arrival days bring increased demands on municipal services. He said the town council, rather than the Port Authority, is responsible for work including maintaining access routes and investing in the link between the port and the town.

Maó receives no direct income from the economic activity generated at the port, Pons said. He argued that a direct contribution from cruise passengers would help cover some of those service costs and give the council more resources for local needs.

Pons also said cruise ships receive a Port Authority discount on their port charge, meaning they pay far less than the rules set out. He said the proposed levy would partly offset the costs linked to cruise activity.

Council would have the final say

Socialist MP Marc Pons said the surcharge could be no more than 100% of the Sustainable Tourism Tax charge, capped at €4 per cruise passenger. Port towns with cruise traffic would decide for themselves whether to introduce it.

Any new charge, or a change to one already in place, would need approval from the relevant town council. It could take effect from 1 January of the following year.

Topics: Tourism · Politics · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com