Barcelona’s tourism scene faces new scrutiny as city authorities weigh a fresh round of tourist taxes, aligning with planned increases already discussed for 2024. The municipal budget proposal, steered by Mayor Jaume Collboni, will be examined in committee with a possible vote in December. The plan targets cruise passengers and users of tourist apartments, funding public services while excluding travelers who do not spend the night in the city. Business groups, including CLIA, the cruise industry association, have raised concerns that higher fees could curtail operations in Barcelona and raise questions of proportionality and necessity. Some operators are already adjusting itineraries in anticipation of these changes.
Since 2020, Barcelona has incrementally implemented a portion of its tourism tax, with a third and final rise scheduled for next April. The city would establish a base of 3.25 euros per tourist, added to a variable rate depending on the type of accommodation. For journeys with stopovers, the current 5.75 euros could increase to 6.25 euros. A proposal from Jordi Valls, the deputy mayor for Economy, Treasury, Economic Promotion and Tourism, envisions a higher level of 7 euros per passenger. The industry waits to see if political support will solidify to adopt the measure.
Alfredo Serrano, national director of CLIA Spain, has called for a clear justification of the sudden hike. He questions the increase’s proportionality and relevance, noting that cruises already contribute through port and waste-management fees, and that no study convincingly demonstrates a negative impact from cruise tourism on Barcelona. Large ships in Catalan ports currently cover several fees via contracted providers.
Special case
Serrano argues that the described rise targets a traveler profile who often visits for only a few hours. He notes that passengers arriving by train, bus, or car from nearby towns do not disembark for a checkout when they reach the European capital. For cruise passengers, he says, a higher rate applies even if many stay briefly, which he views as paradoxical given the overall benefits tourism brings. A 2016 UB study, requested by CLIA, estimated the economic impact of mass tourism at roughly 54 euros per capita, suggesting that the city’s mass influx yields modest local benefits.
The industry has faced similar tax pressures for years, highlighting the rate’s growth from 0.65 euros in earlier years to the current level. Critics cite the pandemic-era context as a reason the increases should be calibrated more carefully. If the 2024 rise is enacted, cruise passengers would face a tax around 4.1 percent of local tourism value, a figure many argue is disproportionate. They warn that uncertainty makes itineraries less predictable and could deter long-term investment in port infrastructure.
More broadly, industry spokespeople emphasize that cruise travelers constitute a relatively small portion of the city’s visitors, with the majority not spending the night. They advocate for better flow management so day-trippers and short-term visitors do not overwhelm transport and public spaces near the Rambla. The Cruise Sustainability Council is actively exploring solutions to balance visitor flows with resident needs.
Critics also contend that the proposed tax would undermine Barcelona’s status as a major port and could hinder terminal investments. Since cruise lines publish itineraries well in advance, sudden changes risk causing financial and operational anxiety. Some forecasts suggest a substantial share of cruise passengers arrive, spend little time, and depart, meaning the incremental revenue from the tax may be smaller than hoped.
In parallel, CLIA has called for reversing certain tax provisions if they fail to compensate local residents fairly or reflect the city’s broader budget needs. While supporters argue the tax helps fund essential services, opponents worry it could distort competition and disproportionately burden tourism segments such as families staying in apartments.
Legal fight over flats
The professional association representing tourist apartments rejects the rate on the grounds that it penalizes family tourism and benefits larger hotelier interests. They estimate the tax could reach 6.25 euros per person per night for apartment stays, aligning with the upper end of the 2024 hotel tariff (around 6.75 euros). The association signals plans to challenge the measure before the National Markets and Competition Commission, arguing that it breaches free competition with hotels. The dispute highlights tensions between different hospitality sectors and the city’s broader revenue goals.