The WTTC said Barcelona has achieved "remarkable success" establishing itself as a global tourism leader, but risks harming this, pointing to its own research it claims shows sudden hikes in tourist taxes rarely achieve the intended outcomes, such as taking pressure off vital services.
"Additional costs to visitors to Barcelona would likely reduce the overall economic contribution generated by the cruise industry as tourists adjust their spending habits ashore," said the WTTC. "This, in turn, would potentially lead to job losses, impacting local employment and job creation within the city's service sectors."
