Vox has pledged to promote bullfighting, hunting and fishing as tourist attractions while blocking any plans to introduce a tourist tax after taking control of Andalucia’s powerful Tourism Ministry.
The hard-right party last week entered the regional government under a 150-point coalition agreement with the Partido Popular.
Vox’s Andalucia leader Manuel Gavira is now vice president of the Junta while also taking charge of the key tourism portfolio.
The appointment gives Vox responsibility for one of the region’s most important industries, particularly in Malaga, where tourism generated another record year in 2025.
More than 14.65 million visitors travelled to the province last year, an increase of 1.19% on 2024, while the sector generated an estimated €21.8billion for the local economy, according to figures from the Malaga Provincial Council.
Despite tourism’s importance, the coalition agreement contains only five measures relating to culture and tourism.
Among them are plans to increase investment in preserving and restoring cultural heritage, strengthen cultural programming across Andalucia’s provinces and promote bullfighting, hunting and fishing as tourism attractions.
Speaking on Tuesday, Vox MP for Malaga Antonio Sevilla insisted tourism should continue to be one of Andalucia’s economic pillars.
‘It is vital that the people of Malaga do not have to leave Malaga,’ he said.
‘But it is also vital that such an important economic engine as tourism is maintained, respected and appreciated.’
Sevilla also made clear that Vox will oppose any attempt to introduce a tourist tax in Malaga or elsewhere in Andalucia.
‘It shows how badly some mayors manage their finances,’ he said. ‘They cannot make ends meet and want a new tax to fund their spending.’
Several Spanish destinations have either introduced or debated tourist taxes in recent years as local authorities seek to offset the costs of record visitor numbers and pressure on public services.
However, Vox argues that creating new taxes would damage one of Andalucia’s most important industries.
When asked what plans the party has to address overtourism and the growing tensions between residents and visitors, Sevilla declined to provide details.
Instead, he described the coalition agreement as ‘a minimum agreement’, saying it was only a starting point and did not include everything the new regional government plans to do.
‘The policies will have to be designed together with the ministry and the local authorities that have responsibility in these areas,’ he said.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
