Tourism

The measure includes the new Bus Zone 4.0 project, which aims to limit the stops and parking of tourist coaches, as well as to reinforce the Management Plan for High Affluence Spaces (EGA), further combat illegal tourist accommodations, and create an international network of urban destinations.

Today, Deputy Mayor Jordi Valls and the Economic Promotion Manager, Miquel Rodríguez, unveiled Government Measure for Tourism Management in Barcelona for 2024-2027 at a press conference held at the City Council’s Sala Ciutat.

The goal for the new action is to prioritise how tourism is managed in the city to strike a better balance with its residents’ everyday lives and position Barcelona as a leader in the management, regulation, funding, and social return of tourism activities. The Barcelona City Council has allocated a €254.7 million budget for this government measure, which will be funded until 2027.

This measure also aims to bolster the Management Plan for High Affluence Spaces (EGA), which was launched this summer, and integrate tourism management into a single city model that considers all aspects related to the visitor economy.

Large-Scale Project for Efficiency

The measure encompasses 12 areas of management, including accommodation, tourist offerings, sustainability, economic development and social return, among others. A total of 55 actions will be implemented, including the Bus Zone 4.0 project, which aims to improve upon the current model and reduce the impact that tourist coaches have in certain areas of the city. As part of the new measure, these vehicles will pay a higher fee to park in Barcelona.

Economic Dynamism and Social Return

At a time when the visitor economy is one of the fundamental pillars of the city’s economy, contributing 13.9% to its GDP and employing 150,000 people, Barcelona seeks to secure commitments regarding sustainable and responsible tourism and improve upon how the business of tourism is carried out and integrated in the city. This is why the government measure includes other projects, such as the fight against illegal tourist accommodations, the creation of a Citizen Return Fund for Tourism (ReCiutaT Fund) funded by the Tourist Stay Tax (IEET), the establishment of an international network of urban destinations, and the protection of High Affluence Spaces.