Catalonia has delayed plans to increase the region’s tourist tax.
The tax hike had been due to come into force this month in the region, including in Barcelona and popular resorts along the Costa Brava, but it has now been delayed until October at the earliest.
Implementation of the charge, which would have seen some visitors to the region paying up to €15 (£12.74) per person per night this summer, was delayed by the Spanish Government on Tuesday (29 April). Future decisions on implementation have now been passed to the regional government.
Catalonia wants to increase the tax in a bid to tackle overtourism, with at least 25% of the tax revenue being set aside to ease a housing shortage in the region.
The region currently charges tourists a fee to hotel guests and cruise ship passengers, with the nightly charge dependent on the class of accommodation.
For example, Barcelona currently charges guests in four-star hotels €5.70 (£4.85) per night, while for guests staying in five-star hotels it’s €7.50 (£6.10).
