Barcelona, one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, is taking steps to manage the impact of mass tourism on the city. Mayor Jaume Collboni announced a significant increase in the tax paid by cruise ship passengers visiting the city for periods shorter than 12 hours.
Current Fee and Reasons for Increase
Currently, cruise ship passengers calling at Barcelona pay a tourist tax of seven euros per day. Mayor Collboni did not specify exactly how big this increase would be, but emphasized that it would be "substantial."
The main reason for this decision is the intensive use of public space by tourists who stay in the city for less than 12 hours, without bringing significant economic benefits to the local community. Collboni stated: “We want to have tourism that is respectful of the destination .” This step is part of a broader strategy to create a balance between the large number of tourists and the needs of local residents.
The decision to increase the tax comes in the context of recent protests against overtourism in several popular destinations in Spain , such as Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and the Canary Islands . Residents have pointed out that the massive influx of tourists is leading to rising housing costs, making them unaffordable for residents of city centers.
Mayor Collboni also stated that tourists, not local taxpayers, should bear the costs of local projects, such as equipping schools with air conditioning. These measures will contribute to more sustainable tourism and improve the quality of life for the residents of Barcelona. The proposal is to be submitted to the approval of the Catalan regional government.
Additional Measures
Last month, Jaume Collboni announced another drastic measure: the ban on renting apartments for tourist purposes until 2028. This decision aims to stop the increase in housing costs and maintain their affordability for residents.
