Barcelona’s city government last week fired a salvo across the bow of the cruise industry, voting to double taxes on transit passengers and reduce the number of available terminals. The ultimate goal is to eliminate all cruise ship stopovers in the city, Mayor Jaume Collboni told reporters, in the biggest move yet to change the paradigm of mass tourism in the city.
While the pronouncement will certainly induce some eye rolling —another example of wacky Barcelona’s anti-tourism campaign! —Barcelona’s leaders are taking real action to stem the flood of tourists swamping the streets. Last year saw record activity in cruise activity, with 832 calls and more than 3.9 million passengers wandering La Rambla and lining up for tour buses.
