Not all resort regions of Spain rejoiced at the influx of foreign travelers this summer. The most popular, on the contrary, expressed concern about excessive tourism and found a “way out” — decided to introduce new tourist taxes or raise existing ones.
Barcelona — one of the destinations that will increase the existing tourist tax, and the region of Valencia only plans to introduce a similar measure by the end of the year.
Barcelona
Barcelona — most visited city in Spain. Since 2012, it has required guests to pay an additional fee on top of the region-wide tourist tax.
The fees charged by Barcelona vary by property type and are intended to help the city cope with excessive tourism.
Currently, tourists visiting Barcelona and staying in rented accommodation must pay a daily fee of €4, of which €2.25 goes to the region and the rest remains in the city budget.
Those who stays in five-star hotels, should pay more — €5.25: €1.75 goes to the region and the rest — to the city.
Passengers on cruises that spend more than 12 hours in Barcelona must also pay —€3 to the regional budget and €1.75 to the city.
Despite the fact that for most tourists this fee seems too high, the authorities announced that they intend to increase it in the next two years.
The first increase in — for 1 euro per night — will come into force on April 1, 2023. Travelers arriving in Barcelona will have to add €2.75 per night to their rates.
The second increase will take place next year on 1 April 2024. According to the authorities, the fee will increase to 3.25 euros in 2024.
Thus, guests staying in 5-star hotels will have to fork out 6.75 euros per night, or 47.25 euros per week per person.
Commenting on the increase in city taxes, the Barcelona authorities said they decided to go by such a measure to attract “quality tourists”, and not just increase the number of vacationers indefinitely.
“The goal was to contain the number of tourists and increase tourism revenue, because our model — it is no longer mass tourism, but quality tourism that adds value to the city, — emphasized Jaume Collboni, who holds the post of deputy mayor.
Obviously, the increase in tourist tax will help the city's budget. The fees are expected to bring Barcelona about 53 million euros this year and about 100 million euros in 2024.
In addition to Barcelona, the entire region of Catalonia also levies a tourist tax. Guests pay €3.50 per night for a five-star stay and €2.25 — in rented accommodation.
Balearic Islands
Just like Catalonia, the Balearic Islands levy a tourist tax on all visitors. It was introduced here in 2016.
Currently, all persons over the age of 16 living in the Balearic Islands are required to pay a fee of 1 to 4 euros per night.
Authorities report that day-trippers must pay a fee of €1 per day, while cruise passengers and those staying in cheaper hotels and apartments pay €2. For those staying in mid-range hotels, the fee is 3 euros per day, and for guests of luxury hotels — 4 euros.
Funds received from tourists will amount to about 12 million euros per year. This money will be used to protect and maintain the natural resources of the region.
Valencia
Unlike Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, which have been collecting tourist taxes for many years, Valencia will start introducing special fees later this year.
The Valencian authorities have announced that they plan to introduce a tourist tax for all travelers residing in the region.
It is expected that the tourist tax will start to be levied here in late 2023 or early 2024, and it will apply, in particular, to all those who live in apartments, hostels, hotels and campsites.
Once the tourist tax regulation in Valencia comes into force, everyone who visits the region will have to pay an amount from 50 cents to 2 euros per night . This means that the fee depends on the type of accommodation, but everyone will have to pay: both guests of high-class hotels and students in rental housing.
It is expected that the so-called “Valencian tax” will bring the region about 30 million euros a year.
You can be sure that other regions of Spain will not stand aside. They are also considering the introduction of a tourist tax in one form or another. The popular beach resorts of the Costa Blanca have already announced the fee. It will be 4 euros per night per person.