Why don't we raise the tourist tax more?

A record summer is expected both in Barcelona and throughout Catalonia. Given this scenario, it is difficult to understand why the tourist tax has not increased even more. Since April 1st, up to 12 euros per person per night are paid in the city of Barcelona, depending on the type of establishment. What often goes unnoticed is that part of this collection has a specific destination: 25% is transferred to the Generalitat for housing policies and the remaining 75% is allocated to the Fund for the Promotion of Tourism.The reality is that the tourist tax is inelastic. It is difficult to imagine a visitor stopping coming to Barcelona due to a moderate increase in the price per night, especially in the case of high-end establishments. Meanwhile, the city faces a growing deficit in services, infrastructure, and public space maintenance. Giving up this revenue stream is, in essence, equivalent to wasting necessary resources.It is true that it can also be argued that the tax affects local tourism and residents also suffer the consequences. But precisely for this reason the system should be reformulated: establish bonuses or reductions for residents in Catalonia and orient the tax towards a fairer redistribution of the costs generated by tourist activity. However, the debate cannot end with the amount collected. The central question is what is done with this money. If citizens perceive that the tourist tax serves to strengthen public transport, expand the affordable housing stock, improve cleaning, or reduce pressure on the most saturated neighborhoods, social consensus will be much broader. The problem arises when the collection is diluted without a visible return or a clear strategy. Who knew what their funds were intended for?