Balearics bite the hand that feeds them

The regional government of the Balearics has introduced a tourist tax this weekend that will cost a family of four more than €100 on top of their holiday for a fortnight's stay.

The new tax costs €2 per person per night to stay in a 5* hotel and must be paid by anyone over 16 years of age. The tax is discounted if you stay more than 20 days or your accommodation is lower than 5*. The tax isn't included in the cost of package holidays and will come as a shock to the 13m visitors a year the islands get, most of whom will have booked their holidays before the tax was rushed through the regional parliament.

A Daily Express poll suggests that 7 out of 10 people would not travel to the Balearics as a result of this tourist tax which will decimate the already fragile Spanish economy.

The main holiday destinations in the Balearics are Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

Graffiti in Palma. Tourism accounts for almost half the economy of Majorca.