Catalonia has introduced legislation to double the tourist tax in what it described as a bid to manage rising tourist numbers.
Barcelona is expected to be the most affected city, currently charging €5.70 per night for four-star hotels and €7.50 for five-star hotels, with the new tax aimed at addressing overcrowding and resource strain.
A portion of the funds collected will be designated for housing policies to combat rising housing costs exacerbated by tourism. The tax could reach €15 per night for visitors,
The proposal follows growing concerns among residents regarding the impact of mass tourism, with a YouGov study showing that nearly a third of Spaniards believe there are too many foreign visitors.
Protests in Barcelona have erupted over issues related to overtourism and rising rents, with locals demanding limits on tourist numbers and better housing conditions in their communities.
