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International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Travel
Marcelo Alejandro Leyva Chapa

Sun, Sangria… And Soaring Costs: Barcelona To Double Tourist Tax In Crackdown On Overtourism

Catalonia is changing the tax charged to tourists to increase revenue (Credit: Expansión)

Barcelona, one of Europe's most visited cities, is set to double its tourist tax, aiming to curb the number of visitors and generate additional revenue for local projects. The move comes as the city struggles with over-tourism, rising rental prices, and tensions between locals and tourists.

Anti-tourism protests have erupted in Barcelona in recent years, with residents accusing visitors of driving up costs and taking over public spaces. Complaints include increased gentrification, noise pollution, and public disorder—especially in the city's historic districts, where rowdy tourists have been blamed for public indecency and the closure of traditional establishments.

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