SouthernWorldwide.com – In a significant move to address the challenges of overtourism, Barcelona is intensifying its efforts to regulate the influx of cruise ship passengers, with the city’s mayor spearheading a proposal to expedite an increase in the visitor tax for short-stay tourists.
Mayor Jaume Collboni announced on Wednesday his intention to accelerate the implementation of a higher tax rate for cruise passengers. Under the proposed changes, these visitors could be charged up to $9.30 (8 euros) per night, effectively doubling the current rate of $4.65 (4 euros).
This development was brought to light by El País, a prominent Spanish newspaper, following an appearance by Mayor Collboni on the local network Betevé.
The proposed tax hike would specifically target cruise passengers whose ships dock in Barcelona.
While Barcelona’s City Council had previously agreed in July of the previous year to a phased increase of the tax to $9.30 (8 euros) over a four-year period, Mayor Collboni is now advocating for an immediate implementation of this higher daily rate.
“In the coming months, we will raise the tourist tax… so that it comes into force in the next few months and not in four years as we had agreed,” the mayor stated, as reported by El País.
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“I want to discourage the arrival of cruise passengers,” he further elaborated, underscoring a clear intention to manage the volume of visitors.
Collboni expressed his ambition to reduce the number of cruise passengers who are merely stopping over in the city, aiming for zero such transient visitors. His goal is to prioritize travelers who begin or conclude their journeys in Barcelona.
The mayor articulated a philosophy that tourism should benefit the city, rather than the city being solely shaped by tourism. This reflects a broader strategy to ensure that visitor activities align with Barcelona’s development and well-being.
“We want quality tourism, which is why we are renewing the Fira de Barcelona. We are interested in business visitors,” Collboni added. This indicates a strategic shift towards attracting a different segment of tourists.
“What we do not want is mass tourism — and that is why we will eliminate tourist apartments in 2028.” This statement highlights a commitment to tackling the negative impacts of large-scale tourism, including the proliferation of short-term rental accommodations.
Mayor Collboni also indicated his intention to seek re-election in the upcoming mayoral elections scheduled for May 2027, according to El País.
“My intention is to govern with a left-wing majority,” Collboni declared, outlining his political aspirations.
“I want to turn Barcelona into the grave of the far right.” This statement reflects his strong political stance and his vision for the city’s political landscape.
This latest initiative is part of a series of measures Barcelona has been implementing to combat the persistent issue of overtourism.
In 2024, Barcelona’s city council made a decision to reduce the number of cruise terminals from seven to five, a move aimed at directly limiting the capacity for cruise ship arrivals.
Furthermore, in March, Barcelona had already taken significant steps by nearly doubling its visitor tax. This action positioned the city among those with the highest visitor taxes in Europe, a strategy designed to deter mass tourism and manage visitor numbers.
The tax levied on hotel guests saw an increase, now ranging between $10 and $17 per person per night. Similarly, taxes on holiday rentals were also raised to approximately $14 per night, reflecting a comprehensive approach to taxing different forms of tourist accommodation.
