Spain's tourism sector presses Brussels for a VAT cut

Spain's tourism sector wants a VAT cut: Carlos Garrido takes the demand to members of the European Parliament in Brussels on 30 September 2026. He also raises concerns about changes to rules on package holidays and passenger rights. Garrido heads Mesa del Turismo, a Spanish tourism association.

He meets Isabel Benjumea of the European People's Party group and Esteban González Pons, a vice-president of the European Parliament and spokesperson for Spain's People's Party. The association says both were receptive. Garrido also calls for financing options for tourism businesses, raises high rates of absence from work and wants the European Union to recognise tourism as a high-value economic activity.

The visit continues a round of talks at the European Parliament under an association plan launched in October 2025. Garrido says Spain needs a strong voice in Brussels to protect the sector's competitiveness as European rules shape its work. José Ramón Bauzá, a former member of the European Parliament who belongs to the association, joins the meetings.

Topics: Court cases · Tourism · Politics · Economy

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com