Brits were told they are “always welcome” in Majorca as the Balearic government defended its tourist tax at the World Travel Market in London.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Jaume Bauzà said the Sustainable Tourism Tax (ITS) is being invested into over 200 projects to make the island a “better place for holiday makers”.

He stressed the importance of being transparent with tourists about how their money is used, with plans for a “simple and accessible” system with “detailed, updated and transparent” information about the projects funded by ITS, which generated €470 million. 

Bauzà said: “The British who visit our islands are always and will always be welcome. The tourist tax is going to be used to make the Balearics a better place for holiday makers which greater transparency about how the tourist tax they pay is used.”

He confirmed the money is being used to protect the natural environment, manage the water cycle, recover historical and cultural heritage, improve tourism infrastructure and promote responsible tourism and security. 

Bauzà said more than €700 million is being invested into projects across the island from the Next Generation EU funds and the ITS. 

He added: “It should be noted that this strategy also means that we are growing more in value than in volume: today the increase in tourist spending in our islands is double the increase in visitors,” he stressed.

The minister also confirmed that tourism had grown by over five percent in the first four months of the year which was brought up by the British market, helping to lengthen the season, and it was up by five percent over the whole year.