Proposal from the mayor of Barcelona
Jaume Collboni, mayor of Barcelona, has announced his intention to significantly increase the tourist tax applied to cruise passengers who do not spend the night in the city. According to his statements, the local section of said rate, currently set at 4 euros, has already reached its maximum limit. However, he intends to increase it for those visitors who stay less than 12 hours in the city.
Interview in ‘El País’
During an interview with ‘El País’, Collboni explained his position on the way tourism impacts local residents. According to the mayor, the current type of tourism can compromise the quality of life in the city, negatively affecting access to housing and causing the expulsion of middle-class young people.
More details about the reform
Collboni intends to take this proposal to the Parliament of Catalonia, in order to establish a substantial increase in the tourist tax aimed at cruise passengers in transit. The mayor affirms that studies have been carried out to determine the daily cost that should be applied to this group of tourists, according to the value of the stay in Barcelona.
Impact on the port of Barcelona
Regarding the possible decrease in the number of cruise passengers and the reduction of some terminals in the port of Barcelona, Collboni considers that it is essential to wait for the change of government in Catalonia and the appointment of new port managers before starting negotiations.
The future of tourist apartment licenses
Asked about the possibility of the Generalitat’s decree, which seeks to annul tourist apartment licenses, being invalidated, the mayor assured that his intention is to legally protect this measure through urban planning regulations. He indicated that his objective is to maintain the ban on these apartments until 2028, even in entire buildings, an action that has also been supported by some hoteliers.
Collboni makes it clear that he will continue with his plan to completely eliminate licenses for tourist apartments, underlining his commitment to protecting the right to housing for the citizens of Barcelona and reducing the negative impact of uncontrolled tourism.
