Barcelona to Implement New Tourist Density Index to Combat Over-tourism
Barcelona, January 21 – The Barcelona City Council has approved a proposition, spearheaded by ERC, to establish a new tourist density index. This public indicator, set to be updated biennially, will serve as an objective tool to assess the impact of tourism on various city neighborhoods and to inform the design and adjustment of tourism management policies. The initiative received support from PSC, Junts, and BComú, with the PP abstaining and Vox voting against it.
The creation of this index falls under the framework of the Barcelona Tourism Observatory and will particularly focus on areas designated as Espais de Gran Afluència (EGA), such as Sagrada Familia, the Gothic Quarter, El Born, and Barceloneta. These areas have already seen measures implemented by Jaume Collboni’s government to manage tourist overcrowding, alongside other zones identified for their high concentration of visitors.
Jordi Valls, Deputy Mayor for Tourism, stated, “Tourism is a fundamental component, and we agree that we must know how to manage it. Barcelona has reached its tourist limit.” The index will consider the relative weight of tourists, day-trippers, and other visitors to more accurately reflect the actual tourist pressure on each neighborhood. However, Valls cautioned that measuring flows in a neighborhood is “much more complicated” due to “non-fixed boundaries and continuous mobility.”
Jordi Coronas, ERC’s deputy spokesperson, highlighted that “problems associated with tourist concentration have been repeatedly appearing in municipal barometers for years and remain a primary concern for citizens in certain neighborhoods.” Coronas emphasized that despite the economic benefits of tourism, “it is essential to have rigorous tools that accurately measure the real tourist density each area endures and better guide municipal tourism management policies.”
The decision comes amidst growing concerns among residents regarding the effects of over-tourism. Recent surveys indicate that two-thirds of Barcelona residents favor curbing tourism, banning tourist apartments, and reducing cruise ship traffic. The city’s tourism commissioner has also advocated for reducing the number of leisure visitors.
This new index is expected to provide valuable data to address these concerns and to ensure that tourism in Barcelona is sustainable and beneficial for both visitors and residents. The city is grappling with balancing the economic advantages of tourism with the need to preserve the quality of life for its inhabitants. The bi-annual updates of the index will allow for continuous monitoring and adaptive policy-making, aiming to mitigate negative impacts such such as noise, overcrowding, and rising costs in local services.
The implementation of this index signifies a proactive step by Barcelona’s authorities to manage its popularity as a global tourist destination. By focusing on data-driven insights, the city hopes to develop more effective and equitable tourism policies that protect its unique character and ensure the well-being of its communities.
Source: https://www.elperiodico.com/es/barcelona/20260121/barcelona-medira-presion-turistica-barrio-nuevo-indice-125932878
