Hotels brace for new tourist tax
Hotels in L'Hospitalet have begun the autumn under a new municipal surcharge on tourist stays, which came into effect on 1 October 2026. The measure is expected to generate €6.5 million in revenue for the city by 2027, according to the municipal council's final approval of the fiscal ordinance during its September plenary session. The surcharge is applied per person per night, with a maximum of seven nights charged. Rates vary by accommodation type: from €0.80 at youth hostels to €4 at five-star hotels. Tourist apartments are charged €1.75 per stay between 1 October 2026 and 31 March 2027, with the rate rising to €2.50 from 1 April 2027. Management falls under the Catalan Tax Agency (Agència Tributària de Catalunya), as confirmed in official notices published by L'Hospitalet City Council. Josep Maria Huguet, delegate in L'Hospitalet for the Barcelona Hotel Association, said hotels are accepting the increase despite reservations. "The establishments are not enthusiastic about the measure, but we assume it is part of the current reality," he stated in an interview with L'Informatiu. "We are not happy, of course, but we have to accept it."
Rising costs and strong demand
Despite the added burden, hoteliers report strong performance. Summer 2026 saw an average occupancy rate of 88% across July and August, with the first eight months of the year averaging around 82%, according to sector data cited by Huguet. He attributes the positive trend to sustained demand driven by business travel and tourism linked to major events at Fira Gran Via and ongoing activity around Camp Nou. The expansion of Fira Gran Via, including the planned Hall Zero set for 2027, is expected to further boost visitor numbers. However, rising utility costs, including water and electricity, are also forcing hotels to adjust pricing. "We have to make adjustments more and more often," Huguet explained, noting that these pressures, combined with the new tax, will be passed on to customers.
We want L'Hospitalet to be a city with hotels in good condition and where people want to come.
Huguet affirmed the sector’s continued commitment to investment in the city, even as competition increases. He welcomed new hotel developments, particularly near high-traffic areas like Camp Nou, arguing that greater supply allows visitors more choice across different categories.
Tourist apartments remain contentious
The regulation of tourist apartments remains a concern for the hotel industry. Huguet described the model as having been "poorly conceived from the start with confusing legislation," highlighting tensions when short-term rentals operate in residential buildings. He cited risks of noise, insecurity and disruption to neighbours as key issues. Exemptions to the new surcharge include children under 16, those travelling for health reasons, and recipients of EU social programmes.
Autumn outlook remains positive
Despite the challenges, the outlook for autumn 2026 is optimistic. September maintained high occupancy, and October has started strongly due to trade fairs, concerts and other events in both L'Hospitalet and Barcelona. Fira Gran Via, one of Europe’s largest modern venues designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Toyo Ito, continues to attract major international events such as the Mobile World Congress and Smart City Expo World Congress. Its proximity to quality accommodation and excellent public transport links strengthens L'Hospitalet’s position as a regional hub for business tourism. More information on upcoming events and visitor services is available via L'Hospitalet Turisme.
Primary sources: hospitaletturisme.l-h.cat, l-h.cat. Reported by lhdigital.cat, llobregatnoticies.com, espanatimes.com, INE, LHDigital (L'Hospitalet).
