Cruise line warning: the tourist tax will jeopardize middle-class visitors
A study estimates the direct economic impact of the activity in Catalonia at €668 million.
BarcelonaThe increase in the tourist tax has sparked rejection from the sector. After hoteliers warned that the increase could endanger The holding of congresses like Mobile World Congress is now being handled by the cruise industry association. "This will pose a difficulty, especially for middle-income tourists," said Alfredo Serrano, director of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
The tax update, now stranded in ParliamentThis will mean an increase from the current 6 to 7 euros per cruise passenger per day to a maximum of 14 euros. "None of us are multimillionaires. Simply put, for a family of four, paying 60 euros just to arrive in a city will have an impact, and it's not like Barcelona is a cheap city," Serrano emphasized. Despite the criticism, the industry association highlights the "significant impact" that cruises have on tax revenue in Catalonia. According to a study by the University of Barcelona (UB), the Catalan government (Generalitat) collected 95 million euros last year, and the Barcelona City Council, 11.9 million euros. The report also estimates the sector's direct economic contribution to Catalonia, generated by spending from cruise passengers, crew members, and cruise lines. Concentrated mainly in Barcelona, the impact reached €668 million in 2024. "We are a sector that generates wealth," emphasizes Serrano, who also highlights the advantages of its lower seasonality, with peak activity in April, May, and late October, and its negligible impact on the market. Last year, the city registered a record 3.6 million cruise passengers, and this year it is on track to surpass that number again. For some months now, the Port of Barcelona has been breaking down this figure and only counting once those cruise passengers who embark and disembark in the city, specifically those who take cruises based in the Catalan capital. The new calculation lowers the total number to 2.8 million cruise passengers. The UB study points out that cruise passengers represent 4.5% of all visitors to the city, but their contribution to municipal coffers is 9.5%.
US cruise passengers spend the most
The Trump era is causing concern in Barcelona's hotel sector, which has seen some indicators... They were starting to go downsuch as employment, average price, and revenue per available room. This slowdown is especially noticeable for cruises—those from the United States are among the biggest spenders and also have a greater share of those who stay overnight in the city before boarding; and they also influence the supply of intercontinental flights, which are closely linked to cruise routes.
For now, unlike what happens with other travel, cruise lines are not detecting this slowdown. Companies request the berths they will need for cruises a year and a half in advance, and therefore any impact takes longer to be felt. Furthermore, customer reservations are made a couple of years ahead of time. "Right now, there is no impact," emphasizes Mar Pérez, Head of Cruises at the Port of Barcelona.