Pedro Homar is general secretary of the UGT union in the Balearics. One of the two biggest unions, the UGT is represented in the Balearic Government's sustainability pact, conceived as a process for defining a future economic model and with tourism therefore at the centre.
Some months ago, the UGT's services federation argued that the top rate of the tourist tax should rise to 15 euros per night per person. In its view, an increase from the current top rate of four euros would act as a means of containing tourism in high summer. It was a proposal that was never likely to have flourished, having been made at a time when the government was open to a tax increase for the main summer months. As things were to turn out, the government backtracked. There is no increase.
With the Balearics suffering the consequences of the war in the Middle East, principally because of increased costs affecting most economic sectors, Homar feels that tourism containment measures the pact has identified will have to be postponed. "The war has completely disrupted this pact, which was designed for a context of stability. Right now, even an increase in tourists can be seen as economic relief. Unfortunately, this is not the time to address these kinds of measure."
There are conflicting messages regarding an increase in tourism because of diversion from the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East itself. Homar believes there will be an increase. "The impact of the tourist season is expected to be greater than last year's, so perhaps this isn't the time, at least not this year, to criticise that phenomenon."
As to the workings of the pact, Homar says there is a general sensitivity and awareness of issues such as tourist overcrowding and access to housing. By this, he implies that all political parties, including Vox, tend to share similar views to those of the unions. This is when there are discussions. "However, the disagreements arise when it comes to adopting measures, because factors like parliamentary arithmetic come into play. The problem is that President Prohens has no choice but to listen to an anti-system party like Vox.
"Prohens handed us a document for our consideration, including measures such as increasing the tourist tax and regulating hire cars. We found these very positive. The next thing we knew, none of it was going to be implemented because Vox was against it. I can't tell if Prohens is playing games with us or if the government is playing the good cop and Vox the bad cop. At least on the surface, I see a government aware that tourism should bring wealth and well-being to citizens."