As overtourism continues to plague popular travel destinations
worldwide, more places like Venice and Bali are implementing tourist tax
to manage soaring visitor numbers. Barcelona has also just increased
its tourist tax effective 1 April 2024, as part of efforts to curb
overtourism and promote "quality" tourism.
This tax, first introduced in 2012, supplements the region-wide
tourist tax, with varying rates based on accommodation type. For
instance, visitors staying in four-star hotels pay €1.70, while those in
luxury hotels pay €3.50.
Cruise passengers face a fee ranging from €2 to €3, depending on
their duration in the city. The city tax, applicable for a maximum
seven-night stay, rose from €1.75 to €2.75 in April 2023 and has now
recently increased to €3.25 in April 2024.
This tax hike aims to bolster the city's budget, potentially
generating €100 million in 2024. Other Spanish cities, like the Balearic
Islands, have also implemented tourist taxes to address the adverse
impacts of mass tourism.