Catalan tourism tax generates €43.5 million in 2015
The Catalan Government collected €43.5 million in tourism tax revenue in 2015, an increase of nearly 5.5% from 2014. Quarterly analysis shows a growth in revenue from hotels, cruises, and tourist homes used by those visiting Catalonia. Additionally, the Catalan Government said that 2015’s numbers show widespread growth in touristic revenues across almost all areas of Catalonia, with Terres de l’Ebre leading with an 11.6% growth from 2014. Catalan Ministry for Business and Knowledge Jordi Baiget said the increase in revenue is “parallel to the increase in tourists” who visit Catalonia — especially those who visit during the last quarter of the year, which in 2015 proved to be the most successful.
Barcelona (CNA).- Catalonia’s tourism tax raised €43.5 million in 2015, showing a 5.5% increase in revenue from 2014. According to the Catalan Ministry for Business and Knowledge Jordi Baiget, the increase in revenue levied by the tax is “parallel to the increase in tourists” who are visiting Catalonia on a seasonal basis. Since its inception in 2012, the tourism tax has generated €126 million for the region. Catalan Government officials said that last year’s numbers reflect a growth in revenue from three main areas. In 2015, hotels generated €34.3 million of the total revenue — the most of any sector. Cruises brought in €486,000, an increase of 74.5% on 2014. Additionally, numbers show that tourist homes brought in €3.6 million, an increase of 38.6% or €1 million since 2014.
Baiget attributed the nearly doubled growth in revenue from tourist homes over the last two years to the regularisation of this kind of tourist accommodation.
"We now have more than 54,000 tourist homes we knew existed but were not regularised", Baiget said in a press conference.
Widespread tourism growth across Catalonia
Aside from growth in areas of taxable tourist accommodation and activities, the Catalan Government said that 2015 showed widespread growth of tourism in most parts of Catalonia. In 2015, the Terres de l’Ebre region generated 11.6% more revenue than in 2014. Areas such as the Pyrenees (+9.6%), Lleida (+7.8%), Barcelona (+6.74%), Val d’Aran (+6.04%), and the Costa Brava (+5.94%) all saw increases in revenue as well. Still, Barcelona was responsible for the majority of revenue, bringing in €23 million in taxes, over half the total generated revenue.
Tax revenue to promote tourism, improve infrastructure
Of the €43.5 million raised in 2015, the Catalan Government will manage €29.7 million from the tax. The remainder of the tax revenue will go to local authorities in the Catalan region. From there, the money will be used to boost tourism promotion and build infrastructure for tourists. Additionally, it will help both create and protect tourist products and areas in Catalonia.