Alicante is set to introduce new tourist taxes despite previous denials from local officials, in a devastating blow to British tourists.
The Spanish city plans to introudce an admission fee for visitors to the city’s castle and some museums, while residents will be exempt from this charge. The revenue generated will be allocated towards preserving and enhancing the city’s cultural heritage.
The Santa Bárbara Castle in Alicante receives thousands of visitors a year with around 800,000 – about 70 percent – being foreigners.
Because of this, as well as being the most visited monument in the city, Alicante City Council’s seem to argue that the fee for foreign tourists in necessary.
Currently, entrance fees are already in place at several local attractions, such as the three-euro (£2.54) charge to access the Castillo de La Atalaya in Villena, which is free for children under seven.
Similarly, other fortresses in the Alicante province and municipal museums, including the Casa Orduña in Castell de Guadalest, also require an admission fee.
The city also plans to extend this measure to other cultural venues managed by the municipality, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art (MACA), the Lonja del Pescado exhibition hall, the Las Cigarreras cultural complex, the Museum of the Bonfires, and the Museum of Nativity Scenes.
Despite previous denials from the government team, led by Mayor Luis Barcala (PP), regarding the introduction of a tourist tax, the council is now working on two new tax rules.
These aim to establish entrance fees for the city’s cultural sites and Santa Bárbara Castle, with the goal of “enhancing the value of the city’s cultural heritage and supporting its maintenance, improvement, and modernisation.”
Treasury Councillor Toni Gallego supports the move, saying: “Many cities in Spain and our province already charge for access to their monuments and museums.”
He argues that it is reasonable for Alicante to explore additional revenue streams to help maintain its heritage, alongside the contributions made by local taxpayers.
The initiative also includes plans for a digital citizen card offering various discounts, including free or reduced admission, which is being developed by the Department of Innovation, Information Technology, and Digital Agenda under Antonio Peral.
Additionally, the government team has recently hired a company to manage Santa Bárbara Castle, enabling the organization of paid events such as wine tastings and special tours, as well as operating a souvenir shop within the castle.
