Ecotax: yes or no? (9/2/2000)

Ecotax: yes or no? (9/2/2000)

The "Ecotax" continues centring the political and social debate of the Balearic islands. On Monday representatives of the Balearic tourist businessmen decided to ask for an interview with the president of the Govern, Francesc Antich, to expose their definite opposition towards the implantation of a tourist tax. The meeting of the businessmen took place in the central office of the Hotel Federation of Mallorca, with the participation of the president of the mentioned Federation, Pere Cañellas; Josep Oliver, president of the CAEB; Miquel Lladó, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Mallorca, Eivissa and Formentera; Miquel Vicens, president of Fomentation of the Tourism of Mallorca, and other representatives of the employer's associations of the tourist sector of the islands.

The same Monday, February 7, the GOB presented to the public opinion a proposal of distribution of Ecotax. In the proposal they remark that the fund should be controlled by a plural partnership and they make a proposal of distribution of the new tax throughout three years.

More over, on Tuesday, the GOB responded in an official notice to the position assumed by the employer's associations, describing the tourist sector as unsupportive, because of their opposition to Ecotax.

On the other hand, president Antich, in declared yesterday that he was willing to meet with the businessmen to treat the subject and that he hopes to arrive at the consensus to carry out this project that will be beneficial for all the society. Apparently, Antich wants to have a text defining if the tax is will finally affect the plane tickets or the hotels and rent-a-car companies.

UPDATE (14/2/2000)
According to the Govern's Press Department, President Francesc Antich will hold a meeting today with the president of the CAEB, Josep Oliver, with members of the board of this Businesses Association and representatives of the member sections: Federation of Hoteliers and Discretional Transport. In this meeting, the President of the Balearic Government will initiate his contacts to debate the tourist tax with the CAEB.