Tourist tax to fund new projects in the neighbourhoods
The latest session by the Government Commission approved a new package of 2.66 million euros from the Tax on Overnights Stays in Tourist Establishments to be used for 27 different projects, 22 of them requested by the districts. This is the fifth package approved in this term of office, which has so far seen 37.12 million euros used for 118 initiatives.
The 22 projects proposed by the districts will share 1.26 million euros and aim to add vitality to very specific areas in the city. They include cultural activities every weekend in the neighbourhoods of El Besòs i el Maresme (Sant Martí) and support for activity programmes in squares in Horta-Guinardó and Gràcia.
There will also be funding for other projects and initiatives such as the Festa Major de Nou Barris, the improvement of access signs at the Tibidabo Amusement Park and steps to add vitality to shops in Ciutat Vella.
Besides local projects, the newly approved package includes five city projects accounting for 1.4 million euros in all: the presentation of Barcelona’s candidacy to host World Pride in 2030; different international sports events such as the FEI Nations Cup (show jumping), the Pàdel Premier Final and the Pickle Tour; the Technology Festival as part of next year’s MWC; collaboration with the Iniciativa per la Productivitat i la Innovació by the Cercle d’Economia, and the Orgull Friki festival.
Revenue generated by tourism has become the third largest source of municipal income, surpassed only by the property tax and the capital gains tax. The city received 106.5 million euros from it last year, with 25 million coming from the IEET and the other 81.5 million coming from the municipal surcharge. This has meant priority can be given to projects offering a return for citizens and the promotion of talent in the city.
Fire run at the annual festival in Nou Barris