Visitors to the Spanish city of Seville will soon encounter the tourist tax when visiting the iconic Plaza de España. The city's mayor has announced initial plans to introduce a fee to access the ornate square, a major attraction for tourists and locals alike. With thousands of visitors daily and a venue for a variety of events such as concerts, fashion shows and theater productions, the Plaza de España is a bustling hub of activity.
Understanding the importance of the main entrance fee in Seville, Spain
We plan to close the Plaza de España and charge tourists for its safety and to guarantee its safety. Additionally, we will create a craft workshop school.
Of course, the monument will be freely accessible and free of charge to all Sevilles. pic.twitter.com/p0ly27otT8
— Jose Luis Sanz (@jlsanzalcalde) February 25, 2024
Mayor Jose Luis announced on Sans X (formerly known as Twitter), „We are considering closing the Plaza de España and introducing a fee to improve its safety and security for tourists.” His post included videos showing damaged facades, missing tiles and stained walls and encroachment by illegal vendors in stairwells and alcoves. The proposed Seville tourist tax aims to support the maintenance and protection of this historic square, including implementing 24-hour surveillance.
The initiative is part of Seville's broader strategy to manage tourist arrivals in its open public spaces. As outlined, locals and residents are exempt from the Seville tourist tax when visiting or exploring the building. The decision is in line with the trend seen in many European cities with the challenge of balancing tourism development with the preservation of cultural heritage. Venice, for example, plans to impose tourist taxes on tourists entering the city from April 2024, while Rome has already started charging tourists visiting the Pantheon, previously a free attraction.
The Plaza de España square, a neo-Moorish architectural wonder with four bridges, a moat and towering buildings, was built as part of the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. It gained further fame as a filming location for the 1999 Star Wars movie. The Phantom Menace. Extensive restoration efforts from 2007 to 2010 cost the city more than $11 million.
(Image credit: Leox/Shutterstock)
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