Barcelona’s Mayor, Jaume Collboni, has announced plans to substantially increase the tourist tax for cruise passengers visiting the city for less than 12 hours. Currently, the tax is set at 7 euros per day, but the exact amount of the increase has not been disclosed. Collboni stated that this decision is aimed at encouraging tourism that is more respectful of the destination and to address the feeling of occupation and saturation caused by cruise ship visitors. He believes that tourists, not local taxpayers, should contribute to local projects such as air-conditioning schools.
The proposal will need to be approved by the Catalan regional government before it can be implemented. This move comes amidst increasing protests by anti-tourism activists in various popular holiday destinations across Spain, including Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, and the Canary Islands. These activists argue that tourists drive up housing costs, making it difficult for residents to afford to live in city centers.
Collboni’s announcement comes on the heels of a recent decision by Barcelona to ban apartment rentals to tourists by 2028, in an effort to alleviate soaring housing costs and prioritize the needs of residents. These measures highlight a growing trend in Spain to address the negative impacts of tourism on local communities and infrastructure.
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