Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni announced plans to significantly increase the tourist tax for cruise passengers visiting the city for less than 12 hours. The move aims to address concerns about overcrowding and the burden on public resources by short-stay tourists. Collboni also highlighted the need for tourists to contribute to local projects, like school air-conditioning, rather than relying on local taxpayers.
Barcelona, Spain’s most visited city, has raised its tourist tax for the second time in 2024, aiming to curb the overwhelming influx of visitors. The city, anticipating a surge in tourism over the next 15 years, is taking measures to manage the impact and prioritize ‘quality tourism’ over mass tourism.
Venice’s new tourist tax has generated nearly €1 million in its first 11 days, but this falls short of covering the costs of the system. The daily fee is expected to rise to €10 after the trial period, and those caught without a ticket may face fines ranging from €50 to €300. Despite the revenue, many Venice residents remain dissatisfied with the initiative, particularly the associated fines.
Lisbon is expected to double its tourist tax, joining a growing number of cities in Portugal that are implementing such fees. The tax, which is applied to anyone staying overnight in the city, will increase from €2 to €4 per person per night, adding an additional cost to visitors. The revenue generated from the tax will be used for maintaining the city’s infrastructure. Other Portuguese cities, such as Amarante, have also introduced tourist taxes, with Amarante’s tax varying depending on the season.
