> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://barna.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Barcelona Reaffirms Veto on Stopover Cruises - URL: https://barna.news/barcelona-reaffirms-veto-on-stopover/ - Published: 2026-10-23T12:54:25.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T12:54:25.000Z - Description: The city council restates its position against transit cruise ships while remaining open to dialogue with the sector. - Author: Barna.News - Tags: tourism Barcelona City Council has reaffirmed its veto on stopover cruise ships, reiterating plans to reduce their presence due to low passenger spending and high urban impact. José Antonio Donaire, Commissioner for Sustainable Tourism Management, made the remarks on Friday 23rd October 2026, following the release of a manifesto by around fifty local businesses calling for a data-driven approach to cruise policy. Donaire stressed that multiple studies confirm transit cruise passengers spend very little in the city while generating significant strain on infrastructure and public services. As a result, the council is committed to finding all possible mechanisms to minimise their numbers. This stance aligns with a broader city strategy to prioritise home-port cruises over transit visits. In May 2026, the council and Port of Barcelona signed a protocol to reduce cruise terminals at Moll Adossat from seven to five, part of a plan to reorganise cruise activity and improve urban mobility ([Barcelona City Council](https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/en/the-port-and-the-city-council-agree-to-limit-cruise-terminals-and-improve-mobility%5F1639417.html?ref=barna.news)). --- ## Policy Backed by Cross-Party Consensus Donaire noted the policy is shared across political groups, with the costs of hosting short-stay passengers outweighing benefits for residents. The Full Council recently approved a proposal to gradually increase the municipal surcharge on short-stay cruise passengers from €5 to €24 by 2030 ([Barcelona City Council](https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/turisme/en/latest-news/news/barcelona-city-council-passes-a-preliminary-proposal-to-increase-the-municipal-surcharge-for-shortstay-cruiseship-passengers-to-24-41543?ref=barna.news)). The measure, backed by JuntsXBCN, PSC and ERC, is expected to take effect from April 2027. If passenger numbers remain unchanged, the increase could generate an additional €23.7 million annually for the city by 2030\. However, the aim is to discourage short-stay tourism rather than maximise revenue. > The doors of the City Council are always open for all demands. ## Dialogue Remains Open Donaire confirmed the council has held multiple meetings with cruise industry stakeholders, as well as commercial, hotel and tour guide sectors. He reiterated that further talks would be welcomed: "The doors of the City Council are always open for all demands." The position comes amid debate over cruise tourism’s fiscal impact. A 2025 University of Barcelona study commissioned by CLIA found cruise passengers contributed €14.5 million in tax revenue in 2024 and accounted for 9.3% of tourist tax receipts, up from 3.7% in 2012 ([Fundació Bosch i Gimpera](https://www.fbg.ub.edu/en/news/a-ub-study-shows-that-cruise-traffic-in-barcelona-generates-more-income-than-expenditure-for-the-city-council/?ref=barna.news)). --- *Sources:* [*viaempresa.cat*](https://www.viaempresa.cat/economia/barcelona-subratlla-seu-veto-creuers-escala-es-mostren-oberts-parlar-sector%5F2242395%5F102.html?ref=barna.news)*,* [*Ajuntament de Barcelona*](https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/en/tema/tourism/initial-approval-to-increase-the-municipal-surcharge-for-short-stay-cruise-ship-passengers-to-24-euros%5F41459.html?ref=barna.news)*.* --- ### Related on Barna.News - [50 Firms Reject Cruise Tax Rise in Barcelona](https://barna.news/50-firms-reject-cruise-tax-rise-in/)