The
World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has encouraged Barcelona to
reconsider proposals to increase the tourist tax on short-stay cruise
passengers.
Gloria Guevera, President & CEO of WTTC said in an
extended statement, "While we understand the complex challenges of
managing a world-class destination, the proposal to increase the tourist tax on
short-stay cruise passengers could place Barcelona at a competitive
disadvantage compared to other Mediterranean ports. Barcelona has achieved
remarkable success over many years, establishing itself as a global leader in
tourism. However, we are concerned that these significant achievements, along
with the widespread economic benefits they bring to the local community, could
be inadvertently undermined by this increase.”
Are Tax Hikes Effective?
She added, “Evidence WTTC has gathered from other
destinations shows that sudden tax hikes rarely produce the intended outcomes.
For example, the UK economy could be at risk of losing at least £14 billion in
international visitor spend if daily visitor taxes of €10 were introduced.
Additional costs to visitors to Barcelona would likely reduce the overall
economic contribution generated by the cruise
industry as tourists adjust their spending habits ashore. This, in turn,
would potentially lead to job losses, impacting local employment and job
creation within the city's service sectors.”
“In a city like Barcelona”, Guevera said, “one of the
world’s leading cruise homeports, welcoming around 4.0 million passengers each
year and generating an average local spending of around €255 per homeport
passenger, among the highest globally, the broader impact of such measures
could be particularly significant, not only in terms of visitor demand but also
in the fiscal contribution that supports local and regional economies. The
cruise industry alone contributed €11.9 million in taxes to the Barcelona City
Council in 2024.”
She added, “WTTC highlights their wider role within the
tourism ecosystem, as research from CLIA (Cruise Lines International
Association) shows that more than 60% of cruise travelers return to
destinations they first discovered via a cruise, underlining the sector’s role
as a gateway for future visits. In parallel, Barcelona is already experiencing
a broader decline in international travelers due to global economic pressures.
Recent trends point to a softening in demand, including a 3.3% decline in 2024
in transit cruise passengers, while modest international spending growth
projections of just 2.7% in 2025 place the city behind other major European
destinations. Introducing further barriers could create an unwelcome domino
effect across the wider tourism ecosystem, affecting everything from local
suppliers to transport providers.”
Looking for Balanced Solutions
Guevera further said, “We believe that long-term,
sustainable growth in any major destination depends on effective, proactive
planning and deep public and private stakeholder engagement at all levels.
Rather than implementing these taxes, we recommend the local government to work
closely with the tourism sector to find balanced solutions that support both
the city's sustainability goals and its vital economic interests. To this end,
the World Travel & Tourism Council stands fully ready to collaborate with
all relevant local and international stakeholders to help identify the best
path forward for Barcelona, acting as a partner to ensure the city remains a
thriving, competitive, and welcoming global hub.”
In closing, she stated, “According to evidence, the future
of sustainable tourism cannot be built on short-term fiscal adjustments. It
requires robust, long-term planning, meaningful consultation with the travel
industry, and active stakeholder engagement at every level. By bringing
together the private sector, local communities, and government authorities,
destinations can co-design holistic strategies that protect local
infrastructure without dismantling the economic engine that drives prosperity
and jobs for the local community in Barcelona. This approach helps ensure the
city remains good for residents and good for travelers.”
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