Spanish holiday hotspot postpones plan to hike tourist tax in respite for Brit travellers
HOLIDAY REPRIEVE
The delay is not because the regional authorities have changed their mind
SPAIN'S favourite tourist destination has delayed its plan to hike its tourist tax on visitors.
The proposed tax, which could cost visitors €15 a day (£12.74), has been delayed to October by the regional government over fears around legal challenges.
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British sangria swiggers can breathe a sigh of relief as the move, which was originally planned to come into force in Catalonia, Spain, this May has been delayed.
Catalonia, which is home to tourist hotspot Barcelona, proposed the tax in the wake of widespread protests which erupted last summer in opposition to over-tourism.
The region is the most popular tourist destination in the country, and its capital, Barcelona, is British holidaymakers' favourite European city destination.
Rather than whacking up the tax, which currently stands between €6-11, Catalonia’s government delayed the move at the last minute yesterday to pursue parliamentary approval.
Currently, the severity of the levy is calculated according to how luxurious tourist lodgings are.
Even cruise ship passengers can't escape the charge, which is calibrated in line with the hotel star system.
For example, at present, Barcelona, the regions iconic capital, charges guests in four-star hotels €5.70 (£4.80) and those in five-star hotels €7.50 (£6.10).
Just yesterday, Locals flocked to the streets, squirting paella-loving punters with water guns to protest the rocketing house prices in the wake of the mounting swell of visitors year on year.
The attack marks the start of a long summer of predicted protest carnage with mass demonstrations planned across Spain in the next few weeks.
Spain expects to surpass last year's record of 94 million tourists, with tourist arrivals in Catalonia up 10% in the first two months of 2025.
Shockingly, this is a conservative increase compared to the 13% jump in tourists flocking to Spain's capital, Madrid.
But still, Barcelona's room rates ballooned disproportionately, rising 10% in the year before March, 7% more than Spain's average rental inflation of 3%.
In 2024, the historic city received over 30million visitors-- that's nearly half the UK's entire population.
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This has put mounting financial pressure on Barcelonians, and fury is building as many feel priced out of their home city.
The Mayor of Barcelona promised that at least 25% of tax revenue will go directly into a pot to alleviate housing shortages and spiralling rents.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Barcelona’s association of tourism apartments, Apartur, opposed the increase arguing that it would make holidays more expensive, and proposed that the tax is increased gradually.
Travel writer Lee Bell recently revealed how holidaymakers heading to Barcelona can make their trip a whole lot cheaper from transport tips to dinners out.
First off, Lee recommended swapping the airport taxi for a local bus, which will save solo travellers around €20.
He added: "Dodge the pricey cocktails before a night out and instead head down to Can Paixano - or what the locals call “La Xampanyeria” (champagne bar) where you’ll find a “copa de cava” for just €1 a pop.
"Ask for a 'clara' - essentially a Spanish shandy made with Fanta Limón - at practically any bar. It’s not only cheaper but it’s a tasty, more refreshing option for when the temperatures soar."
Read more of Lee's money-saving tips, here.
thesun
