Visitors planning a trip to Barcelona may soon notice a bigger bill at hotel checkout.

Starting this year, the city will double its tourist tax, with some visitors paying up to $18 per night. For a couple staying two nights in a four-star hotel, the additional cost could exceed $50.

The move comes amid growing frustration among residents over rising rents and overcrowding. With 15.8 million visitors annually, locals say tourism has pushed housing prices beyond reach.

Catalonia’s regional parliament approved the measure as part of a broader strategy to manage tourism. A quarter of the new revenue will go directly toward affordable housing.

The message from city leaders is clear: tourism brings prosperity, but it must be managed responsibly.