Barcelona’s Measures Against Overtourism
European destinations are increasingly addressing the issue of overtourism. Barcelona, Spain, has taken a firm stance with the message ‘Not one tourist more.’ In recent years, the city has been at the forefront of this movement, particularly under the guidance of José Antonio Donaire, the commissioner for sustainable tourism. The city plans to levy a new charge on cruise visitors staying less than 12 hours, amounting to €30, around $35, in combined taxes, as reported by Cruise Industry News.
In July, Barcelona decided to pursue a €24, or roughly $27, tax on short-stay cruise passengers, which aligns with recent proposals to combat excessive tourism. This marks an increase from the previously considered €8, or approximately $9, fee. Demonstrations in Barcelona highlight the local community’s dissatisfaction with overtourism. Locals have been vocal about the negative impacts on daily life, including rising housing costs and public transportation congestion.
The region of Catalonia, where Barcelona is situated, welcomed around 20.1 million tourists, reflecting a slight increase from the previous year. The overwhelming number of tourists in historical areas remains a pressing concern for residents, as reported by Reuters. The situation has prompted Barcelona to enact rigorous policies to curb overtourism.
In a bid to control the influx of tourists, Mayor Jaume Collboni suggested cruise tourists should contribute up to $9.30 (8 euros) per night, which doubles the current rate. This proposal was corroborated by local network Betevé after Collboni’s comments were published by El País.
“We don’t want to grow more. We want the tourists that the city already has. There were 15.7 million tourists in the city in 2025 — that’s the threshold. Sixteen million is the maximum,”
Starting April 1, Barcelona nearly doubled its hotel tax, increasing it from $5-$9 to $10-$17 per person per night. The city’s architectural marvels and vibrant arts scene continue to attract European tourists. However, the local populace staged a significant protest last summer, even using water guns against tourists, to express concerns, as previously reported.
Protestors carried signs urging a rethink of the local economy with slogans like, ‘One more tourist, one less resident.’ Andreu Martínez humorously mentioned using squirt guns to subtly irritate tourists. He highlighted that his rent had climbed by over 30% due to short-term vacation rentals.
Donaire clarified that the new measures are designed to welcome a broader range of tourists, those interested in business or cultural attractions. He emphasized the necessity for residents to have access to everyday goods in their neighborhood, rather than areas being dominated by souvenir shops.