Barcelona's New Tourism Chief Aims to Limit Visitors

Jo Antonio Donair has been appointed as Barcelona's first Commissioner for Sustainable Tourism, with a clear message: the city does not want more tourists. He stated that Barcelona has reached its maximum capacity for visitors, having attracted 26 million in the previous year.

Donair's strategy includes a moratorium on new hotels and a plan to revoke licenses for 10,000 tourist apartments by 2028, aiming to alleviate housing crises. Additionally, he intends to ban takeaway snacks at La Boquer, a famous market that has become overrun by tourists.

Other measures include reducing the number of cruise ship berths from seven to five and increasing park fees for coaches to limit day-trippers. Donair's approach marks a significant shift in tourism policy, focusing on balancing the needs of residents with tourism, which has been a growing concern since 2017.