Yahoo News Popular European tourist hotspot set to increase 'tourist tax' again this year
A popular city break destination in Spain has announced it will be increasing its tourist tax later this year, for the second time in 2024. Barcelona will be increasing the cost of the tax for visitors in October for anyone travelling there, but there’s a catch.
The city’s tourist tax was first introduced back in 2012, adding an extra cost for those holidaying in the region. To combat Barcelona’s mass tourism, the city implemented a surcharge depending on the type of visitor accommodation a person stays in.
Earlier in April this year, the charge rose from €2.75 (£2.33) to €3.25 (£2.75). To further combat the city’s overcrowding, the city council recently voted in favour of raising the tax up to €4 (£3.38) per person from October, according to Euronews.
This means anyone planning on travelling to Barcelona will have to pay both the regional and city tourist tax. The regional tax varies depending on the type of accommodation you are staying in.
For four-star hotels it is €1.70 (£1.44), for rental accommodation like Airbnb it is €2.25 (£1.89), and for five-star and luxury hotels it is €3.50 (£2.96), according to Euronews. Those passengers entering via a cruise spending less than 12 hours in the city pay €3 (£2.54) to the region, while those spending more than 12 hours pay €2 (£1.69).
The separate city tax, which applies for a maximum seven-night stay, is currently set at €3.25 per night, and €4 for those staying in tourist apartments or stopping off by cruise for less than 12 hours. From October, tourists will have to pay €4 to the city on top of the regional tourist tax, which works out to an increase of €0.75 per night.
This news comes after Barcelona’s Mayor announced a crackdown on short term holiday rentals in the city, which is being blamed for the local housing crisis and ever-increasing rents. The city will not be handing out new rental licences and existing ones will not be renewed.
