The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has expressed concern over proposals to increase Barcelona’s tourist tax on short-stay cruise passengers, warning that the move could reduce the city’s competitiveness as a cruise destination and negatively impact the local economy.
According to WTTC, while managing tourism sustainably remains important, significantly increasing taxes on cruise visitors could discourage demand, reduce visitor spending and affect employment across the city’s tourism and service sectors.
Commenting on the proposal, Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said, “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.”
She added that Barcelona has built a strong reputation as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations and cautioned that the city’s achievements and the economic benefits generated by tourism could be undermined by higher visitor taxes.
WTTC said evidence from other destinations indicates that sudden tax increases often fail to deliver their intended objectives. The organisation cited research suggesting that the UK economy could lose at least £14 billion in international visitor spending if daily visitor taxes of €10 were introduced.
According to the council, additional costs imposed on cruise visitors to Barcelona may reduce onshore spending as travellers adjust their budgets, potentially leading to lower revenues for local businesses and fewer employment opportunities in the tourism value chain.
Barcelona remains one of the world’s leading cruise homeports, welcoming approximately 4 million cruise passengers annually, with each homeport passenger spending an average of around €255 locally, among the highest levels globally. The cruise industry also contributed €11.9 million in taxes to the Barcelona City Council in 2024.
WTTC further highlighted the cruise sector’s wider contribution to tourism, citing research by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which found that more than 60 per cent of cruise travellers return to destinations they first discovered during a cruise, demonstrating the industry’s role in generating repeat tourism.
The organisation also pointed to signs of slowing international tourism demand in Barcelona. It noted a 3.3 per cent decline in transit cruise passengers in 2024 and projected international visitor spending growth of just 2.7 per cent in 2025, trailing several other major European destinations.
Gloria Guevara said WTTC believes long-term, sustainable tourism growth depends on strategic planning and collaboration rather than short-term fiscal measures.
“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 work closely with the tourism sector to find balanced solutions that support both the city’s sustainability goals and its vital economic interests,” she said.
WTTC also reiterated its willingness to work with local authorities and industry stakeholders to develop strategies that balance tourism growth with sustainability while protecting jobs, supporting local communities and maintaining Barcelona’s competitiveness as a leading global tourism destination.
The council emphasised that sustainable tourism requires long-term planning, meaningful consultation with the travel industry and coordinated action between governments, local communities and the private sector to ensure destinations remain attractive for both residents and visitors.
