In a win for British holidaymakers, a tourist tax imposed in Mogán, Gran Canaria has been suspended.
The High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC) cancelled the municipality's visitor levy just one day after it was introduced.
If implemented, holidaymakers in Mogán would have had to pay 15 cents per night (around 13p) to stay in local tourist accommodations.
While this would have been a relatively small sum compared to other proposed taxes, these extra costs add up over time for Britons abroad.
The tourist tax imposed in Mogán, Gran Canaria, has been suspended
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This is good news for holidaymakers who like to visit the tourist municipality. Indeed, a visitor to Puerto De Mogán, a fishing village in Mogán, called the place "a little gem".
A second holidaymaker who was full of praise following a trip to Playa de Mogán consequently dubbed it the "best resort in Gran Canaria".
The suspension of the tax follows a legal challenge from the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism Entrepreneurs (FEHT).
It argued that the ordinance for the tax was poorly written and included confusing terms that made it difficult to enforce.
The FEHT added that the tax would impose excessive administrative work on the hospitality sector, and claimed that this goes against the principles of fairness and cost minimisation.
Judge Francisco José Gómez de Lorenzo-Cáceres ruled that the tax created "an inappropriate and disproportionate burden" on businesses, reported Canarian Weekly.
The court determined that such a measure should have been regulated by a formal law rather than a local ordinance.
This ruling could represent a significant victory for the tourism sector in the popular holiday destination if not overturned.
However, Mogán City Council commented on the suspension of its tourist tax and confirmed it will be defending the levy.
In a press release issued on March 12, the council stated: "In view of the precautionary suspension of the Fiscal Ordinance Regulating the Fee for Services and Activities Derived from Tourism Activities and the Sustainability Obligation, the Mogán City Council is awaiting the formal ruling of the Canary Islands High Court of Justice (TSJC), which it learned of through the media.
"The Mogán City Council has always been aware that this circumstance could occur, and therefore, when the local government is duly notified, it will appear before a judge or court within three days to defend the aforementioned ordinance and to ensure that the precautionary suspension measures can be lifted."
As authorities attempt to curb overtourism in Spain and mitigate its effects on residents, holidaymakers have faced new restrictions.
This, in addition to widespread anti-tourist sentiment, has prompted some Britons to boycott the destination.
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Anti-tourist protests have swept Spain and the Canary Islands
REUTERSOne GB News reader urged holidaymakers to "hit them where it hurts" by taking their money elsewhere.
Another claimed that "there are more welcoming places than Spanish islands these days".
Britons have been met with anti-tourist sentiment in Spain and the Canary Islands over the past year, with shocking protests breaking out.
Tensions have increased as locals complained that mass tourism has put pressure on public services and water resources and encouraged the prioritisation of visitors over residents.
There have also been calls for more affordable housing, as prices are driven up by an increase in purchasing properties for holiday rentals.
