Tourist Tax for Valencian Region - Toni Pérez Benidorm´s Mayor says "no and never"

Tourist Tax for Valencian Region - Updates - 11th November 2024 The so called "tourist tax" which would have applied to anyone staying in our region (Whether of foreign origin or Spanish) was officially voted out by the regional government in Valencia on Friday. This means that we will not be joining the regions of Baleares or Cataluña in having such a charge. The original plan was that the tax was to be voluntary, with individual town halls choosing to apply it or not....It was never, not ever going to apply to Benidorm anyway, despite what the UK tabloids kept claiming!

August 14th 2023 The Mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez, recently met with the Valencian government secretary of tourism, innovation, industry and business Nuria Montes.

The visit of the minister to Benidorm was used to outline what she described as possibly the best ever year for tourism, especially for Benidorm and the Costa Blanca in general.

She also declared that the supposed "tourist tax" which was supposed to start at the end of this year would be totally scrapped. 

25th November 2022 - The vote on the introduction of a tourist tax for our region, has been definitively approved on Thursday, after 7 years of debate, by the Valencian government.

This will see a fee charged per night, at a rate depending on the type and standard of accommodation. Two things are important to know...Firstly that the scheme comes into operation in 2024, and not next year...Secondly that the charge is VOLUNTARY.....Meaning that town halls can choose to apply it or not. The town hall of Benidorm for example has stated that it WON'T be applied on accommodation in the town.

Tourist Tax for Valencian Region 21st July 2022 - There is still lots of controversy over the proposed "tourist tax" which is due to be imposed on overnight stays in our region from next year. The tax would impose a small charge which would range from 50 cents a night for a cheap hostal, up to 2€ for a more exclusive hotel.  A large meeting was held in Valencia yesterday, driven by the university of Alicante, who had concluded that the new tax would be counterproductive and unjust, damaging the image of destinations, while raising at the most 53.6 million euros, 17 million of which would be corresponding to stays in Benidorm. The Valencian government has repeatedly said that the tax would be voluntary, with individual town halls free to apply it or not...Benidorm has repeatedly said that the town would not be charging it.

Tourist Tax Valencian Region April 12th 2022 - The proposal to implement a nightly tax charge on staying in accommodation was legally registered in the Valencian parliament yesterday 11th April. (The so-called tourist tax.) This means that it is due to be approved by the end of this year, with implementation from 2024. It is stated that the implementation of the tax OR NOT, will be entirely down to individual town halls to decide. The town hall of Benidorm for example has already said that the tax WILL NOT be applied here (Despite what certain tabloid newspapers keep trying to claim). there are different levels of tax according to type and quality of accommodation, with levels between 50 cents for campsites, hostels, hostels and houses or rural hotels of one, two or three stars., to 2 euros a night for overnight stays in spaces with more than four stars.

There are several exemptions where people would not have to pay such as cruise travellers who start or finish their travel in the Valencian Community will not be obliged to pay this fee.  There are proposal of nine other exemptions, among which the stays of children under 16 or people with a disability greater than 66%, those forced by health, sports competitions or congresses of public universities and those that are held in youth hostels stand out.

December 2021 - Tourist Tax Valencian Region - An agreement was reached yesterday (21st December 2021) between the three main political parties that make up the Valencian government on the introduction of the so called "tourist tax" in our region. The three parties of PSPV, Compromís y Unides Podem have, after much argument, decided to join other regions such as the Balearic Islands and Cataluña, in charging a small amount per person per night, which is dependent on the category of the accommodation that the tourist is staying in. The tax could range between 0.5 and 2 euros per night and excludes the Imserso and health stays

Criticism has not been slow in coming, especially from towns like Benidorm (see below) The mayors of Benidorm, Alicante and Torrevieja, are all opposed to the implementation.  Given the announcement of the Valencian government that this new tax will have municipal and voluntary character, Toni Pérez has advanced that "Benidorm will not apply it".

There are few details available yet, just that the charging of the tax has been agreed between the three parties.

The Generalitat will establish a common regulatory framework, but the application of the tax, whose amount could reach up to two euros per night, will be the power of the municipalities. Therefore, it will be the municipalities who decide if visitors are forced to pay this additional tax.

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The internal debate on this issue has been dragging on since 2017 between the PSPV, Compromís and Unides Podem, however, they are committed to putting a proposal on the table before March 2022 to then start the parliamentary journey, for the moment, the date on which it will be activated is up in the air, but it should not be before 2023. Nor has it been defined exactly what the proceeds will go to.

Before the end of March 2022, a proposal for a law creating the Valencian Tourist Stay Tax will be drafted. The document that will serve as a starting point will be the one drafted as an amendment to the budgets by Compromís and Unides Podem, which includes rates of between 0.5 and 2 euros per night depending on the type of accommodation and also establishes certain exemptions, such as, for example, to imserso tourism or stays linked to health.

Toni Pérez reaffirms himself in the "no and never" at the tourist rate after the agreement announced by the three-party council  The mayor insists that "it's not a rate, it's a tax" that "penalizes the tourist activity", that "is contrary to the hospitality model of the Valencian Community" and that "obeys an ideological tick"

The mayor of Benidorm, Toni Perez, has reaffirmed in his refusal to the implantation of the tourist rate in the Community after the agreement to implant it announced today by the political forces that make up the government of the Valencian Generalitat: PSPV, Commitment and United Podem. Toni Perez has stated that “the Benidorm government, in tune with sector-maintained, has always defended the ‘no and never’ at the tourist rate,” which “only seeks to penalize this activity, the same since the pandemic erupted missed and much support of the three-party council that now intends to put new shortcuts to its recovery.”

The mayor has incited that “the tourist rate only obeys a permanent ideological ‘tic’ of the Council government partners” which, unlike the regional secretary of Tourism, Francesc Colomer, are “unable to see and understand that the turism is the activity that best redistributes wealth that "has a high social commitment" and that "doesn't get dislocated".

Toni Pérez has claimed that the agreement announced today is "an imposition of those who deeply hate tourism and democracy of the holidays that imposes the model of sun and beach"; while "generates more uncertainty to a sector that has always been a tractor and locomotora, offering great yields to the GDP of the Valencian Community."

In addition, he has clarified that "contrary to what is being claimed is not a rate, it is a tax" which, in addition, "to a good measure, they will have to assume the Valencians themselves, who are one of the main clients of the tourist offer of the Community Valencian."

Toni Pérez has reminded that "the sector that provides the service already pays taxes for its activity, just like the tourist, including the VAT", so "it results disproportionate, unfair and petty to add now to that activity a new tax".  Similarly, he has emphasized that "the implantation of the tourist rate is against the model of the Valencian Community, to the same model that is hidden in a law that talks about a hospitality that has been preaching and practicing the sector for decades." “We do not understand that forcing a visitor to pay a fee is the best letter of presentation or example of hospitality that can be given,” he added.

Sustainable, responsible and quality tourism is practiced day to day and for decades in this Community in destinations such as Benidorm, and that little or nothing has to do with penalizing the sector and activity or with implanting a tax that does not solve nothing," he pointed out.

Finally, he has urged the government to preside over the socialist Ximo Puig "to stop vericuetos and invent new taxes to divert the attention of what is truly important, his inability to develop social policies and to help families and the productive tissue and more in such complex moments like the current ones."

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In similar terms, the deputy mayor of Alicante, Mari Carmen Sánchez (Cs), expressed herself: "If Alicante depends on us, it will not have a tourist tax," he said. He also emphasized that it seems a lie that it is intended to approve the tourist tax now, in the middle of a pandemic, and pointed out that it is a tax that "leaves us at a clear competitive disadvantage with respect to other destinations with similar characteristics and offers."

The mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón (PP), stressed that the tripartite is "far from the reality of our tourism sector", and added that from the Botànic "they make clear what their wishes are for this coming year, as always, thinking about theirs: more taxes and less aid to the citizens of the Community". Therefore, it will not enter into force in your city either.

Please note the above information has been translated from Spanish to English, read the original article HERE

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Mobile Phone Safety Tips -

How to avoid losing or having your phone stolen when on holiday

Mobile Phone Safety Tips - Nearly everyone has a mobile phone these days and they all come on holiday with you, every single day on the Benidorm Seriously Facebook group we get reports of lost and found phones. 

Losing your phone whilst on holiday is even more stressful then losing it at home, but there are things you can do to protect your mobile phone and keep it safe.  There are also steps you should take if your phone is lost or stolen whilst on holiday.

Mobile phones are used for lots of things these days, including banking, if your phone isn't protected by security, losing your phone could mean thieves gain access to your personal information.

Did you know that people between the ages of 25 to 34 on average have already lost 3 phones.....

Tips for keeping your phone safe

Make sure your mobile phone is covered on your travel or home insurance police, check the small print.

Obviously, the number 1 tip to not losing your phone on holiday is DO NOT take it out with you, do you really need it for a day on the beach or that night out?

Being on holiday means that you are more relaxed and tend to let your guard down, especially after a few drinks, but always know where your phone is.

NEVER leave your mobile unattended in a public place.

DO NOT leave it sitting on the table.

If a stranger comes to join you at your table, or someone asks for directions and your phone is sitting blatantly on the table, pick it up, hold it or put it away.  Some con artists will use the asking for directions ruse to put a map on the table, covering your mobile phone (making you forget it was there in the first place) when they leave the pickup their map and YOUR mobile.

Use a mobile phone safety clip to keep it around your next or secured in your handbag, they are cheap and easy to find.

Mobile Phone Safety Tips

DO NOT leave it sticking out of an unzipped handbag

Gentlemen, DO NOT leave it sticking out of your back pockets, chances are you will not even feel someone lifting it.

DO NOT have your credit cards, driving licence etc tucked into the phone case, lose one, you lose them all causing even more headache.

DO NOT get involved with the pea/potato men here in Benidorm, most of the people involved are pick pockets.

DO NOT have your phone on SILENT - Only use silent mode when it’s needed, having your phone on silent can cause problems if it is misplaced. 

Mobile phones these days are expensive, why not purchase a cheaper version just for your holiday, or if the camera on the phone is what you use most, leave the phone in the hotel safe and purchase a cheap camera to take out with you.

If going out in a group, have just one member of the group with a phone for emergencies, a holiday is to be enjoyed, not spent sending text messages to all and sundry back home, wait and do that when you are safely back in your hotel room.

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Mobile Phone Safety Tips

Keeping the data on your phone safe

Use the security features provided.  Most mobile phones have security features that are designed to stop people accessing a phone and using it if it is lost or stolen, but for these features to work you need to make sure they are switched on.

Turn on password or biometric protection 

About a third of mobile phone users do not use a password to protect their phones.  Passwords are the first line of defence in protecting your data if your device is lost or stolen. Better yet, enable both a password and biometric identification like a fingerprint swipe if that is available.

Backup your data

Do this before you leave for your trip and during your travels, make sure you backup your contacts and other data, like photos, so that if your phone is lost or stolen, your data can be easily restored.

Before going on holiday, clean your phone

Delete old apps that you are not using, quite often APPS can track your location and collect data about you, why risk that information falling into the wrong hands for an app you don't use? 

Install the latest updates

Updates help ensure your phone has the latest security measures installed or updated. Without carrying out important updates, your existing security could make for easy pickings.

Add a lock screen message 

If you do lose your phone, having handy information such as ‘if found’ available on your lock screen can help reunite you with your handset.

Beware of public Wi-Fi hotspots

When traveling abroad, using Wi-Fi instead of a cellular connection can save you money on data roaming fees. But Wi-Fi is less secure than cellular, especially if the network is not password protected. Hackers could intercept communications stealing passwords, credit card numbers and other personal information from you, make sure you do not share credit card or other personal information if using a public hotspot.

Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when you are not using them. 

When these services are turned on the radios are constantly searching for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks to connect to. The constant pinging of radios can be used to locate you. Keeping them off will also help conserve the battery on your phone.

Turn on "find-my-phone" and remote wiping

If your phone is lost or stolen, you can use the find-your-phone feature to locate it. You should also wipe your device of any data so that someone who has your phone can't access all your information. But these services will not work if they are not turned on before you lose your device, so make sure they're enabled.

Keep an eye on your accounts

Check your bank accounts whilst you are away (on a secured network, of course) to see if there is anything unusual going on. The quicker you spot fraud, the better.

Be careful what you share

If you share to social media while you are away, double check your privacy settings to make sure you’re not over-sharing. It’s the difference between showing your friends what a lovely time you’re having, and broadcasting your location to the internet, and the fact that you are not at home.

Be careful how you list your personal numbers.

After a lady had her handbag stolen (Not here in Benidorm) which contained her phone, credit card, wallet, etc. . . . . . 20 minutes later when she called her husband, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, he was astonished and told her . . 'Oh gosh.. I received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago.' When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen phone to text “hubby” in the contact list & got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.

a. Do not disclose the relationship between you & the people in your contact list. Always avoid using names like Home, Missus, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mum, etc.
b. And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, do not respond BUT immediately CONFIRM by calling back.
c. Also, when you receive a text unexpectedly from friends or family asking you to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet 'family and friends' who text you.

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Mobile Phone Safety Tips

What to do if your phone is lost or stolen

How to track your phone.

If you lose your phone obviously your main concern is tracking it down.   If you’re at a bar/restaurant, speak with the bar staff or manager and inform them that you have lost your phone. The chances may be slim, but a kind customer may have picked it up and handed it in -  you never know!

Contact your network provider

As soon as you notice your phone is missing contact your network provider and inform them that it’s lost or stolen. Reporting your lost phone to your provider as soon as possible (recommended to be done in 24 hours of it going missing) will also reduce the risk of paying for unauthorised phone usage.

Your provider will be able to blacklist your phone and cancel your SIM, so no one else will be able to use it for unauthorised calls etc.  If you find your phone your network provider will normally be able to reactivate it.

Your network will usually send you a replacement SIM card, but they may charge an administration fee.

Your network won’t normally replace your phone free of charge and you’ll have to carry on paying your monthly line rental until the end of your contract.

If you don’t get a free replacement phone, you’ll have to decide whether to: buy a new phone and continue with your current contract or wait until your current contract ends and get a new contract that includes a free phone

Contact the police 

This is important as if someone else runs up a big bill on your phone you’ll usually have to pay for the cost of the calls up until the time you reported the phone missing.

You will need to do this if you want to claim on your insurance, make a note of the crime reference number. 

The SATE office here in Benidorm can help you make a police report.  

How to identify your mobile phone if it is stolen

Each handset manufactured for use in the UK has a unique International Mobile Equipment Identity number (IMEI) hardwired into it during the manufacturing process. Knowing the IMEI will help the police identify your handset should it be stolen. UK network operators will also prevent a stolen handset from working across their respective networks if you can
tell them the IMEI.

You can find your handset's IMEI by:

Typing *#06# into the keypad of your handset

OR looking inside the battery or SIM card compartment of your handset

OR looking on the side of the box, or on the associated paperwork, that you received when purchasing the handset

Change your passwords.  For security change passwords of your face book, twitter accounts etc.

Every year 100s of phones are handed in to the Lost and Found department of Benidorm´s Local Police station, so it is always worth checking, as you phone could be there, but they have no way of contacting you if your phone is security locked.

Contact your insurance company

If your phone is insured or covered by your home insurance policy, you will usually be able to claim for a new one.

Contact your insurance provider to find out what cover you have and how they can get you a replacement. If your phone was stolen, you’ll need to give them the crime reference number.

If your phone is insured, you might be covered for the cost of unauthorised calls made between you losing your phone and reporting it missing. Check with your insurance provider.

Try using a FIND my phone system - How to track a lost or stolen mobile phone.

Many of our members post details about their lost or stolen phones on the Benidorm Seriously Facebook Group and happily many have been reunited with their phones.

What to do If you find a phone   If found in a bar, please hand it into the bar staff, DO NOT remove the phone from the premises as this could be construed as theft.  If found on the street/beach etc then it should be taken to the SATE office or the local police station, lost and found department.

Should you wish to remove your account with Benidorm Seriously.  Please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. clearly stating your name and email address.

On removing your account all personal data will be removed including any pictures, videos or other similar material uploaded to our server.  

We will confirm by email when all data has been removed.