Barcelona is taking a bold step to address the issue of over-tourism by significantly increasing the tax for cruise passengers who visit the city for less than 12 hours.
This new measure, announced by Mayor Jaume Collboni, aims to mitigate the impact of transient tourism on local resources and urban spaces, according to Hotnews.
Less Than 12 Hours
Currently, the tax for short-stay cruise passengers is €7 per day. While Collboni did not specify the exact amount of the increase, he emphasized the need for a substantial hike. The decision comes in response to growing concerns about the strain that large numbers of day-trippers place on public spaces without contributing to the city's economy.
“Cruise passengers who visit for less than 12 hours often use public spaces intensively without benefiting the city,” Collboni stated in an interview with El Pais. He highlighted that this type of tourism leads to a sense of saturation and overcrowding, which affects the quality of life for local residents.
Anti-Tourism Protests
Collboni also stressed that tourists, rather than local taxpayers, should shoulder the cost of funding city projects, including necessary infrastructure improvements like air conditioning in schools. The proposed tax increase will need to be negotiated with the regional Catalan government before it can be implemented.
This move is part of a broader effort by Barcelona to manage the impacts of tourism. Recently, the city announced a ban on short-term vacation rentals through 2028, aimed at curbing housing cost increases and making the city more livable for residents. Anti-tourism protests have also emerged in other popular Spanish destinations, highlighting the growing tension between local communities and the influx of visitors.
