Antigua pulls in $10 million through direct taxes and tourism licences
License revenues under the II Tourism Modernisation Plan for Caleta de Fuste total €4.5 million, while direct taxes paid by residents add another €5.5 million. The Antigua City Council has praised the 90 % collection efficiency achieved in the last fiscal year.
The municipality released data on its revenue‑collection performance for the 2025 fiscal year.
€4.5 Million in Licenses Linked to the II Plan of Modernisation, Improvement and Competitiveness of Caleta de Fuste
The council reports that €4.5 million were received from construction licences associated with the II Plan of Modernisation, Improvement and Competitiveness of Caleta de Fuste. These funds come from privately‑initiated projects aimed at upgrading and modernising tourist infrastructure that have been authorised by the municipality.
“We have also highlighted a 90 % collection efficiency for the same period, with an additional €5.5 million collected through direct taxes,” the council noted.
A Patrimonial Value of €36 Million from the II Tourism Modernisation Plan
According to the council, the plan has resulted in the re‑organisation of roughly 40,000 m² for public use and an increase in patrimonial value exceeding €36 million. It also includes the cession of public facilities, such as a 2,300 m² park adjacent to the new Fund Grube shopping centre. Private initiatives cited include the conversion of the former “La Luna” apartments into the Hotel Arena Castillo.
Mayor Matías Peña attributes the revenue boost to the plan, which was formally approved in July 2022 by the Government of the Canary Islands after a process that began in 2019. He explained that the document has unlocked private investment and formalised urban‑development agreements with companies and promoters, generating municipal income through urban‑planning licences.
Antigua Collects 90 % of Possible Direct Taxes
In parallel, the council reported a collection efficiency index of 90 % for direct taxes, amounting to €5.5 million in 2025, achieved without outsourcing services. The municipality claims this rate is above the average for local administrations across the archipelago.
Mayor Peña, who also oversees the Economy and Treasury portfolio, credits this result to:
- Two voluntary payment periods offered to taxpayers,
- The implementation of online payment options, and
- Upgraded IT systems within the Revenue Department.
He also highlighted the dedication of municipal technical staff and coordination with the Treasury.
Although the two official statements (on the modernisation plan and on tax collection) do not provide figures for previous years nor comparative data with similarly sized municipalities, the council maintains that these revenues create a stable financial base to guarantee municipal services and fund future investments.