Salou expressed its support for the megacomplex and requested the final approval of the Urban Master Plan (PDU).
Spain.- The government of Salou expressed its support for the Hard Rock project to establish a megacomplex with a casino in the jurisdictions of Salou and Vila-Seca, in the province of Tarragona. The support came after the Catalan Parliament approved the initiative to reverse the fiscal benefits of the project, which could imply that investors would give up their idea of establishing the complex.
The Salou City Council Plenary voted in favor of a motion expressing its support for the final approval of the Urban Master Plan (PDU) and the development of the Hard Rock megaproject. The proposal, presented by the municipal groups Sumem per Salou-PSC, PP, and Ara Pacte Local, received favorable votes from these groups, while ERC, VOX, and USAP abstained.
The motion urges the government of the Generalitat de Catalunya, led by Salvador Illa, to expedite the necessary procedures for the final approval of the modification of the PDU for reorganizing the area of the CRT Consortium of Vila-seca and Salou. According to Salou authorities, this step "is key to ensuring the development of the complex and the implementation of the Hard Rock project, ensuring its economic, social, and environmental sustainability."
In addition, the signing groups requested to avoid any administrative obstacles that delay its implementation and to work to achieve the maximum political consensus that allows this initiative to become a reality, considered strategic for the economic and tourist development of Salou and the Costa Dorada.
According to Diari de Tarragona, the mayor of Salou, Pere Granados, emphasized the importance of the Hard Rock project for the municipality. "I will defend this project to the end, because it is directly linked to the progress of Salou, the creation of wealth, and the generation of sustainable and quality jobs," he assured.
And he added: "The Hard Rock is a project that has always had the support of the municipal corporation and this mayor, regardless of the political color of the government in turn. We do not look at political colors, we look at the benefit for the municipality and the improvement of the quality of life of our citizens."
Granados said during the meeting at the City Hall that for too long they have lost investment opportunities and projects for political reasons. "Now is the time to unite efforts and ensure that Salou continues to advance, with solid projects that generate employment and boost the local and territorial economy," the official declared.
Furthermore, Granados highlighted the positive impact of the project on the deseasonalization of tourism and the urban improvement of various areas of the municipality: "The implementation of Hard Rock will help us extend the tourist season and transform our urban environment. It is a great investment for our territory, and I will defend it to the end. I thank the municipal groups and councilors who have supported this motion. We hope that Hard Rock becomes a reality as soon as possible."
The Hard Rock project estimates investments worth EUR2.000m and plans the construction of a complex with 1,000 hotel rooms, a casino, a shopping center, a 6,000 square meter pool, a space for concerts, among other amenities.
See also: No minors and few infractions in the gaming halls of Catalonia in 2024
It is worth remembering that on Wednesday, January 29, the Catalan Parliament approved the bill to modify the taxation of tourist recreational centers, with the support of PSC, ERC, the Comuns, and the CUP, the abstention of Aliança Catalana (AC), and the rejection of Junts, PP, and Vox.
The proposition, which will affect the aforementioned Hard Rock project, maintains the current taxes on gambling, which for casinos with more business volume is 55 percent, and eliminates the reduction to 10 percent that was approved in 2014, which would come into effect when the gambling and betting activities in the megacomplex operated by Hard Rock began.
The Minister of Economy and Finance, Alícia Romero, defended the megaproject stating that it has "many positive elements" in areas such as meeting tourism, business, and congresses and emphasizing that "it is not just a casino."
In an interview on Catalunya Ràdio, Romero declared that the decision on whether Hard Rock continues or not after the tax change is in the hands of the investors of the project. "We will see what they decide with the increase in taxation, we will have to work with them depending on the decision they make," she assured and added that from the government they defend this project because they believe it has positive elements, such as meeting or business tourism.
