A Spanish island loved by Brits has introduced pay and display machines for sunbeds on a number of popular tourist beaches. An array of popular resorts in Gran Canaria have brought in a new payment system for sunbeds and parasols on its beaches. 

Tourists heading to El Perchel, Puerto Rico or Playa de Mogán will have to use the new cash system if they wish to rent sun loungers or parasols. Introduced by Mogán council, the aim of the initiative, which came into force on April 11, is aimed to improve the convenience for beachgoers, especially those who wish to pay with cash. The beaches now have newly installed machines that are similar in appearance to parking metres.

Managed by the municipal company Gestiona Mogán, each person who uses the machine simply selects the service they require, pays the corresponding fee, and receives a printed ticket to retain during their stay.

If a beachgoer prefers to pay by card rather than cash, they don't have to use the pay-and-display service. 

Instead, they can go to the beach attendants who are equipped with portable card payment terminals.

Willy García, from Mogan Town Council, told Canarian Weekly: "Until now, payment has only been available by card due to security concerns.

"However, many beachgoers have been requesting the option to pay in cash.

"After evaluating different options, we decided on these payment machines."

He added that the initial rollout is focused on the busier beaches and "providing flexible and convenient payment options" for both their "visitors and residents is a key priority". 

Last month, the town of Mogán reinstated its controversial tourist tax, despite protests from hospitality providers who claimed it could damage the local tourism industry.

Mogán's tourist tax is €0.15 (approximately £0.13) per person, per day, intended to raise revenue for local services, infrastructure, and activities, and applies to anyone over 16 staying in hotels, holiday homes, or other tourist accommodations.

However, just a day after its introduction on March 11, the tax was suspended following a legal challenge from the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism Entrepreneurs (FEHT), which deemed the tax rules "confusing" and "poorly written", according to Canarian Weekly.