City officials in Barcelona are debating further rises in tourist taxes, as the city continues to address the challenges of over tourism, and the negative impact on the lives of city dwellers.
A public consultation will be carried out on the proposals, which will raise the overnight property tax for hotels, from 1.17% currently to a proposed 1.3%. In addition the current EUR12 per room per night maximum tariff is likely to be increased. By aiming to suppress demand, the policy is likely to increase opportunities for hotel developers and operators in other, attractive Spanish cities that either have a nearby airport, or easy public transport links.
Balancing Tourism with the Needs of Residents
Tourism continues to be a major source of economic activity in Spain. The country is reckoned to have welcomed over 96 million international visitors in 2025, with 16 million coming to Barcelona alone. The growth, up more than 3% on the previous year, continues to put pressure on the most popular destinations.
The city is also planning to increase charges on cruise ship passengers. Currently ships are charged EUR11 for short stay passengers offloading for a period of less than 12 hours. The aim is to increase this to EUR30 per passenger by 2030 – a rise that has drawn criticism. The World Travel & Tourism Council reckons that cruise passengers visiting Barcelona spend an average EUR225, and this economic volume could reduce should cruise liners replan their schedules, and visit other ports around the Mediterranean instead.
The authorities in Barcelona previously placed restrictions on new hotel development in Barcelona, which has led many brands and operators to look for opportunities immediately outside the city, or further afield.
Accor has recently opened a 189 room Ibis hotel, in the Poblenou district, contributing more capacity in the city for travellers on a budget. IHG is also planning an addition to its Holiday Inn family, with the Holiday Inn Express Barcelona Fira expected to be completed in early 2029. This new build, close to the city’s convention centre, will have 150 rooms.
Hotels Upgrade to Meet the Market
Spanish brand NH, today owned by the Minor International group from Thailand, will open its NH Hotel Barcelona in spring 2027. The four star property will have 70 rooms. And German brand Limehome will launch in the city around the same time, with a 67 room hotel. And Hotel Arts Barcelona, which is part of Marriott’s Ritz Carlton luxury brand, is undergoing a major rolling refurbishment, which should complete in the springtime.
Across the region, hotels are looking at the restrictions in Barcelona as an opportunity to attract tourism elsewhere. In the coastal destination of Begur, the Hotel Eetu Begur is undergoing a refit, and will become an Affiliated by Melia hotel in early 2027, for example. Inland, the Lake Banyoles Hotel is being planned around sports tourism, making the most of its dramatic scenery. And in Girona, plans are being drawn up to convert the former Bank of Spain offices in the city into a hotel.
