Barcelona plans higher tax for short-cruise visitors

In Barcelona, tensions over tourism have reached a boiling point as Mayor Jaume Collboni proposes significant measures to mitigate the city's ongoing challenges with mass tourism.

Barcelona's Mayor Jaume Collboni has unveiled plans to increase the tourist tax for cruise passengers visiting the city for less than 12 hours.

This move is part of his ongoing efforts to address the challenges posed by mass tourism in the Catalan capital, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

Since assuming office last year, Collboni, a member of the Catalan Socialist party, has been vocal about implementing measures aimed at curbing overtourism and improving the local housing situation. Just four weeks ago, he announced the phasing out of apartment rentals to tourists by 2028, affecting over 10,000 licensed short-term rental units.

In a recent interview with El País, Mayor Collboni emphasized the need to properly manage the impact of tourism on Barcelona. "Tourism is vital for our economy, but we must address its consequences," he stated. "Raising the tourist tax for short cruise stopovers is one step towards ensuring that our city benefits from these visits."

Currently, cruise passengers pay a daily tourist tax of €7 (£6). Collboni indicated that studies are underway to determine the exact increase needed to reflect the true economic impact of these brief visits. He stressed that the goal is not to discourage visitors but to ensure they contribute proportionately to the city's maintenance and development.

Collboni pointed out that short-term cruise stopovers often strain public infrastructure without delivering substantial economic benefits to Barcelona. "We aim for tourism that respects our city as a destination," he emphasized. "This includes prioritizing the right to housing over tourist accommodations and managing public spaces more sustainably."

Despite concerns over potential impacts on tourism, Collboni reassured that Barcelona's hotel capacity remains robust enough to accommodate major events like the Mobile World Congress. He highlighted that revenue generated from increased tourist taxes could be reinvested in community projects, such as improving school facilities.

Spain's tourism industry reached record highs last year with 85.1 million international visitors, a 19 per cent increase from 2022. However, the surge has sparked widespread discontent among locals, leading to protests across Spain, including the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. Protesters argue that unchecked tourism growth has inflated housing costs and diminished residents' quality of life.

Collboni's proposals are set against this backdrop of growing public sentiment against uncontrolled tourism, aiming to strike a balance between economic benefits and sustainable urban living in Barcelona.