In a huge victory for Brits, Spain’s region of Catalonia – which includes hotspots such as Barcelona and Costa Brava – has postponed doubling its tourist tax ahead of the peak summer season
Controversial plans to double the tourist tax in Spain’s most visited region have hit a major snag. Earlier this year, it was revealed Catalonia – which includes hotspots such as Barcelona, Costa Brava, Sitges, and Costa Daurada – was doubling visitor levies to clamp down on over-tourism.
Scheduled to come into effect in May, the tourist tax will be based on the type of accommodation holidaymakers opt for. Campsite visitors in Barcelona will be subjected to €2 (£1.70) fees per day, while those staying at five-star hotels in the regional capital will be stung with €7 (£5.95) daily taxes.
Combine this with Bareclona’s municipal surcharge (currently set at €4 but could double) and tourists may soon be forking out €15 per night. This means seven nights in a fancy hotel will cost travellers an additional €105 (£89.26).
As previously reported, passengers on board cruise ships docked at Barcelona’s port for more than 24 hours will have to pay a tax of €6, while those on cruises that stay for more than 24 hours can expect taxes of €4 per night. Despite objections from leaders in the tourism industry, the move could result in €200 million generated in the region.
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The government has vowed to allocate at least a quarter of revenue generated by the levy upcharge to alleviate the country’s housing crisis – which locals often blame on holidaymakers pushing demand for short-term rentals and soaring costs. However, in a huge victory for sun-worshipping Brits – this bold policy has been delayed until October 2025 at the earliest, after being embroiled in ‘legal and procedural challenges’.
Postponed tourist taxes won’t go down well with fed-up locals, who have already vowed to unleash misery amongst Brits this summer with more planned protests. Last year, Lydia Morales, a teacher living in the Canary Islands, argued her salary barely covered her rent – and that not everybody benefits from an influx of tourists.
“The priority of the politicians is still creating more construction of towers for tourism complexes,” she said. “The priorities of the citizens of the country are left behind, we don’t have a hospital in the south of the island, and the infrastructure is collapsing because there is so much traffic.”
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The blow will only add to Spain’s escalating anti-tourist sentiment, which has slowly spun into violent action. Back in March, a shocking sign threatening to ‘Kill A Tourist’ was spotted in Tenerife, while reports also emerged that anonymous activists had torched rental cars on the island to send a clear message to holidaymakers.
Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) – who has been at the forefront of Spain’s anti-tourist wave for several years – has also vowed to ‘intensify’ efforts over the peak months. This will likely see residents take to tourist-riddled areas, armed with banners demanding they ‘go home’.
Would a €15 tourist tax put you off from visiting Spain? Let us know in the comments section below.