Barcelona Plans Increase in Cruise Ship Taxes
Barcelona, one of Europe’s prime tourist spots, is looking to tighten regulations around cruise ships and their visitors. The city’s mayor, Jaume Corboni, announced an intention to raise the tax for short-term cruise passengers, potentially doubling it to around €9.30 (approximately $9.30) per night, up from the current €4.65 (about $4.65).
This announcement came during Corboni’s appearance on a local news network, prompting coverage from Spanish newspapers like El Pais. Interestingly, the tax adjustment would also impact cruise visitors arriving in Barcelona.
The city council previously agreed to a phased increase in the tax over four years, but Corboni advocates for an expedited implementation. “We intend to increase the tourist tax in the upcoming months, making it effective much sooner than the planned schedule,” he stated, expressing a desire to deter cruise ships from making brief stops in the city.
Corboni emphasized his aim to reach zero cruise ship tourists—those who do not begin or end their journeys in Barcelona. He suggests that tourism should benefit the city rather than the reverse.
Along with this proposed tax hike, Corboni hinted at broader efforts to curb the impact of mass tourism within the city. He mentioned ongoing renovations aimed at attracting business travelers instead of mass tourism, predicting a shift away from tourist apartments by 2028.
As he prepares for his re-election campaign in May 2027, Corboni appears committed to these policies aiming to reduce overtourism in Barcelona. “My goal is governing with a left-wing majority,” he remarked, expressing his vision for the city’s political landscape.
In recent actions against overtourism, Barcelona has also chosen to reduce the number of cruise terminals from seven to five, effective in 2024. Interestingly, the city just raised its tourist tax significantly, positioning itself with the highest rates in Europe, further indicating a shift in how tourism is managed.
There’s no doubt that these measures reflect a growing concern about overtourism’s toll on the city, and it remains to be seen how visitors and local businesses will adapt to these changes.
