Barcelona to Increase Tourist Tax to Combat Overtourism

Photo: X/@robtravelexpert

Barcelona’s Mayor Jaume Collboni has unveiled plans to increase the tourist tax for cruise passengers who stay in the city for less than 12 hours. This move is part of his broader strategy to address the impact of mass tourism on Barcelona. Collboni, from the Catalan Socialist party, has already introduced measures to combat overtourism, including a ban on tourist apartment rentals by 2028.

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Collboni's new proposal aims to make sure that the city benefits more from brief cruise visits. The current €7 (£6) daily tax for cruise passengers will be significantly raised. This tax hike is intended to ensure that cruise visitors contribute fairly to the city's economy and help fund local projects, such as installing air conditioning in schools. The mayor stressed that the increase is not meant to deter tourists but to ensure they pay their share.

In addition to the cruise tax increase, Collboni has proposed ending short-term rental licenses for the 10,101 approved tourist apartments by 2028. This decision follows widespread protests across Spain against the negative effects of the booming tourism industry on local housing and daily life.

Collboni's stance is that the right to housing should take precedence over short-term tourist accommodations. He argues that short cruise stopovers lead to an intensive use of public space without significant benefits for the city, causing issues of saturation and occupation.

Last year, Spain welcomed a record 85.1 million international tourists, marking a 19% increase from 2022. The growing influx of tourists has sparked protests in various regions, including the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, highlighting the strain on housing and local infrastructure.

Rafael Giménez of Prou Eivissa and Víctor Martín of Canarias se Agota have both criticized the outdated tourism model that contributes to overcrowding and resource depletion. Upcoming protests, including one in Palma, Mallorca, are expected to further address the need for sustainable tourism practices.