**Barcelona to Double Tourist Tax Amid Overtourism Concerns**
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In a bold move to tackle the issue of overtourism, the mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, has revealed plans to increase the city’s tourist tax for short-stay cruise passengers from four euros to eight euros per person per day, equating to approximately £7.99. This tax adjustment is expected to take effect within the coming months.
The decision, announced last week, stems from the city’s significant struggle with the overwhelming number of visitors. Mayor Collboni expressed a clear objective: to reduce the influx of cruise passengers to zero, unless Barcelona is their origin or final destination. Collboni aims to re-emphasise the need for tourism to benefit the city rather than overpower it.
“In the coming months, we will increase the tourist tax… to ensure that it comes into effect much sooner than the four years we originally discussed,” Collboni stated, according to the Spanish newspaper *El País*. His remarks echo a growing sentiment in the city regarding the need for a more sustainable approach to tourism.
Historically, tourism has been a crucial contributor to Barcelona’s economy, accounting for around 14% of the city’s GDP and providing employment for over 150,000 residents. However, the rise in overcrowding and the associated inconveniences faced by local communities have incited protests against tourism practices in recent years.
Data from the Port of Barcelona indicated that over 3.5 million cruise passengers began or ended their voyages in the city during 2023. The recent decision to hike the tourist tax comes just months after an agreement was reached to reduce the number of cruise terminals operating in the city, scaling back from seven to five. This initiative is part of broader efforts to manage tourist traffic more effectively.
Collboni’s advocacy for quality over quantity in tourism is evident in his focus on enhancing facilities for business visitors rather than casual tourists. He referenced the ongoing renovations at the Fira de Barcelona convention centre, emphasizing the city’s intention to attract a different type of traveller, one who contributes positively to the local economy without overwhelming its infrastructure.
Growing residents’ discontent over the state of tourism reached a point of public protest during the summer of 2024, with demonstrators employing unconventional methods to express their frustrations — including spraying tourists with water guns. The public outcry aligns with the prevalent belief that the city must reclaim its spaces from the tourist sector.
In a related development, earlier this year, the regional parliament of Catalonia approved a measure to double the tourist tax applied to holiday rental guests, raising the maximum fee from 6.25 euros to 12.5 euros per night. This increase coincides with plans to phase out all short-term rental accommodations in Barcelona by 2028, further indicating an intent to curb tourist-related disruption in residential areas.
The implications of these tax adjustments extend beyond cruise passengers and vacation rentals to hotel guests as well, who will now face nightly charges ranging from 10 to 15 euros, a jump from the previous rates of 5 to 7.5 euros. These rising costs for various types of accommodation reflect a concerted effort by the city council to instigate a shift towards more manageable and sustainable tourism.
As authorities in Barcelona strive to strike a balance between economic benefits and community wellbeing, many local residents hope that these new measures will help reclaim their city and mitigate the strain of overtourism. Mayor Collboni’s plans signify a broader commitment to reconsider tourism’s role in urban life, ensuring that it aligns with the cultural and social fabric of Barcelona.
Barcelona stands at a pivotal point in its relationship with tourism, and the decisions made by its leaders now may well determine the future landscape of the city and its unique character for generations to come.