Barcelona tourist tax hike could add €200k to MWC costs, hotels warn

The Barcelona Hotels Guild has warned that further increases to the tourist tax could raise the cost of hosting the Mobile World Congress from €400,000 to €600,000.

Jordi Clos, president of the guild, stressed on Tuesday, while reviewing the summer season, the importance of not "strangling tourism with constant taxes."

"We need to promote tourism in a way that enhances the city’s pride and keeps it well-organized," he said. "Tourism governance and management should be constructive."

The plea comes after the city council approved a plan in July to raise the tourist tax surcharge by €1 annually until it reaches €8 in 2029, double the current rate.

Despite this, the summer season has continued to outperform last year’s numbers. Hotels reported an average occupancy of 86.5%, slightly higher than last year, and an average room rate of €191.60, just €2 lower than in 2024, largely due to last-minute bookings.

Clos emphasized that the city has "consolidated a stable, quality-focused tourism model," thanks in large part to business tourism and major events like the MWC.

The rest of the year is also expected to be strong for hotels, with numerous medical and scientific congresses scheduled at Fira de Barcelona and the Barcelona International Convention Center.

Regarding the global instability caused by the United States’ tariffs, Clos said that they are monitoring the situation but see no reason for alarm.

"The current context poses threats to global tourism. It is something we are closely watching, but at present it does not create a worrying situation," he said.

However, Clos added that they are "exploring" alternative markets that could have the United States as the main destination, such as Canada or Mexico.

Shorter stays and lower spending

Figures released on Wednesday by the hotels guild indicate a situation similar to last year, with a slight increase in occupancy and a minor decrease in prices, reflecting the general trends in tourism data released in September.

After years of a tourism boom following the Covid-19 pandemic, the industry is now showing signs of stagnation and more cautious spending, although experts warn it is too early to draw firm conclusions.

Concerns are growing that the sector may have reached its peak, particularly in Barcelona and its metropolitan area.

Elvira Garcia, general director of Barcelona Oberta, points to a noticeable drop in visitor spending in the Catalan capital. She also highlights a decline in local visitors to shops and restaurants in the city centre, trends she describes as "worrying" and first noticed last year.

"Experiences like going out shopping or to an expensive restaurant just aren't happening anymore," Garcia warns.

Manuel Ángel Ortiz, from the Castelldefels Hospitality Association, adds, "If people can spend €20 instead of €40, they will."