Tourism leaders in Spain are concerned that a new 'tax' on British visitors could seriously cut the number of UK holidaymakers traveling to the country. The EU is set to make post-Brexit Brits visiting the bloc pay for security checks, and there are fears it will reduce the number of UK tourists in Europe.
The concerns were raised at a recent meeting of the Spanish Tourism Board. A spokesman said: "The Tourism Board is especially concerned about the impact of this tax on British tourism, our main issuing market with 18 million arrivals in 2019.
"'It must also be taken into account that the measure - if it goes ahead - will be added to the rest of local taxes that the tourist is already paying to visit certain European cities."
UK citizens will have to pay for visa-free travel in the European Union after Brexit, the European Commission has confirmed.
Britons will have to fork out a seven euro (£6.28) fee under the EU Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) that is due to come into effect this year - having been delayed for the last two years.
The new electronic system, similar to the Esta required to visit the United States, means that travellers from Britain will be treated in the same way as those from the US and Australia if they wish to make just a short journey across the Channel.
An ETIAS spokesman said: "Starting in late 2023, the European Commission will roll out a U.S. style electronic travel authorisation system for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU. These visitors have been granted visa-free access to the EU and Schengen member countries through virtue of their good track record on security issues and, thus, have not been deemed as a threat to EU security.
"However, the EU is wanting to strengthen its border security as well as digitally screen and track travellers entering and leaving EU countries.
"The system will check the security credentials and charge a fee to travellers visiting EU member countries for business, tourism, medical or transit purposes."
They added: "ETIAS is not a visa, and is more accurately referred to as a visa-waiver. The ETIAS, like the ESTA, is a travel authorisation for travellers not requiring a visa to visit Europe.
"Under the ETIAS, these visitors will undergo additional security checks prior to being permitted to enter into the EU. The ETIAS will be mandatory for citizens of such countries as the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada."
