Have you dreamed of an inexpensive trip to Barcelona? Bad news: the Catalan authorities have decided that there are too many tourists, and the city needs a break from them. A new way to fight is to raise taxes. Now you will have to pay more for a vacation in the capital of Catalonia, and it's not just about the price of hotels.
How much is a night in Barcelona now?
If last year the tourist tax was 4 euros per night, now the amount has doubled - 8 euros for each night spent in Barcelona. And that's not all!
There is also a regional tourist tax, which depends on the accommodation type. Have you decided to stay in a five-star hotel? Get ready to pay another €7 per night. In a four-star hotel — 5.7 euros, and if the budget is limited and the choice fell on a hostel or campsite, you will have to pay an additional 2 euros.
Are you going to rent an apartment through Airbnb? Add €4 per night. Even cruise ship passengers who spend the night in port now pay 6 euros for each night on board!
As a result, if you book a luxury five-star hotel, you will have to pay 15 euros in taxes per day.
Taxes are now being introduced throughout Catalonia
Previously, the increased fees applied only to Barcelona, but now the local authorities have decided to extend them to the entire region - tourists will pay more not only in the capital, but also in other cities of Catalonia. How this will affect the tourist flow is still unclear, but one thing is obvious - the vacation, of course, will definitely not become cheaper.
Why are new fees introduced?
Catalonia has been struggling with tourist oversaturation for several years. Millions of visitors overload the city every year, causing problems for locals, rents are rising, food and restaurant prices are skyrocketing, and the streets are packed with people all year round.
For the people of Barcelona, life in their hometown is becoming more and more difficult. It is almost impossible to rent an apartment at a reasonable price - tourists buy everything. The authorities are sure: if a person can afford a five-star hotel for 400-500 euros per night, an extra 15 euros is unlikely to make him change his mind.
How will this affect tourism?
Will the flow of travelers decrease? Perhaps: someone will choose alternative destinations, and someone will simply include additional costs in the budget of the trip. But it is unlikely that the new taxes will scare away tourists much, because Barcelona remains one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The Gothic Quarter, Gaudí's magical creations, beaches, street musicians, delicious tapas – it's all still here! It's just that now you will have to pay a little more for this atmosphere.
