Discussion of the tourism rate to divert attention from key issues
Eneko Goia again discusses the possibility of establishing a tourist fee for visitors in San Sebastian. The members of the municipal government, the opposition and representatives of other public institutions have reacted and explained their views immediately. It is estimated that EUR 4 million could be raised per year, charging each tourist between one euro and five in the evening.
Restoring the debate on the tourism rate in the middle of Big Week is a mere political calculation. They want to express the will to take action on the subject. The members of the municipal government show slight nuances in their positions, while they do not question the fundamental commitment to tourism growth. The proposal for the levy is intended to respond to the obvious concern of the Donostians. In recent years, however, the tourist industry has surpassed any citizen criticism. Do not try to dilute the responsibilities of each in the months leading up to the elections.
The fact that public institutions have a sufficient budget to meet social needs is always desirable, but let us not be dismissed. The artwork of the island of Santa Clara has cost EUR 5 million for the public treasury, the Easo to Ibaeta metro gateway will have around EUR 200 million and since 2020 the Spanish Government has allocated more than EUR 10 billion to rescue large tourist accommodation and transport companies.
The truth is that it is not guaranteed that what is collected through the tourist tax is intended to alleviate the economic, social and environmental damage of the tourist, while the public budgets are destined to help the speculators, the tourist destination and the disproportionate projects in our city and territory.
The concern among the Donostiarras is widespread. Beyond the execution of the central streets in summer, there are more serious consequences that can be irreparable. The expulsion of residents affected by the price of housing, the absolute imbalance of the economic model, the elitization of the city, the deterioration of small trade and hospitality and community connections in the city and its neighbourhoods. This is not only measured in euros, but we feel the loss in our bodies.
Companies, public institutions and the most powerful media with direct interests in tourist travel are celebrating the increase in the number of visitors, hotel occupancy and the number of flights at airports, for example. That is to legitimise the growth of tourism. That's building a story, a story that says that growth is beneficial for most people. We disagree and we face it.
The only sensible proposals for San Sebastian are currently those which lead to a reduction in the weight of tourism, a direction that we should take as soon as possible to avoid major evils. What is desirable is a process of progressive transformation of the urban model. Gradually we have to break with the monoculture of tourism, find solutions in other sectors for people who work in precarious conditions in tourism, urbanistically rethink some spaces of the paradigm of community life... It should be a transparent and planned process, but agreed with all the residents affected by the city's tourist destination. It cannot happen that the institutions, which should defend everyone, obey those who have direct economic interests in tourist activity.
Sustainable tourism, speculation and exploitation policies are made in the name of sustainable tourism. But the current tourism model in San Sebastian is not sustainable, and any path proposed for the growth of this sector will not be sustainable. The concept of tourist growth raises doubts in some sectors, but we believe that reducing the weight of tourist activity in the city is the only way to reach a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable scenario.
Anyone who allocates thousands of euros to go to fairs such as Fitur, to take huge delegations in foreign media, to pay bli-reports in foreign media, to compete with other cities for being the Christmas capital or any other false and grotesque title, is not being held responsible. Those who question the dogma of turistification try to rule it out, but in the meantime the conditions of most Donostiarras deteriorate and the problem worsens.
Nerea Arrangi Topas
(With the neighbors, platform of the Donostiarras for the tourist growth)
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