Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Barcelona over the weekend, expressing their frustration with the overwhelming influx of tourists in Spain’s most visited city. The demonstrators, many of whom were local residents, targeted foreign tourists in the popular La Barceloneta neighborhood, spraying them with water guns as they dined in restaurants. Videos from the scene showed diners scrambling to change tables to avoid the water, while some restaurants were symbolically taped off by the protesters.
The protesters carried banners with messages such as “Tourists go home,” and made stops in front of hotels and restaurants to confront tourists directly. One demonstrator told the French news agency AFP, “I have nothing against tourism, but here in Barcelona we are suffering from an excess of tourism that has made our city unliveable.” Another protester echoed this sentiment to a Reuters news camera, stating, “The last years, the city has turned completely for tourists, and what we want is a city for citizens and not in service of tourists.”
Local authorities have noted that the cost of housing in Barcelona has surged by 68% over the past decade, a major point of contention for the city’s residents. In response to the growing discontent, Barcelona’s Mayor Jaume Collboni announced in June that by 2028, the city would stop renewing the thousands of tourist licenses that allow landlords to rent out accommodations to foreign visitors. This move aims to make more homes available to locals, as many of these properties are currently listed on platforms like Airbnb.
The demonstration saw more than 3,000 people participating, symbolically closing hotel establishments, bars, and restaurants as they marched towards Barceloneta, one of the neighborhoods most affected by the presence of tourists. According to local authorities, over 12 million tourists visited Barcelona last year, drawn by attractions such as the Sagrada Familia basilica.
This protest is part of a broader trend of anti-tourism sentiment in Spain. In June, a protest in Málaga attracted around 15,000 people rallying against over-tourism, while in May, more than 10,000 people marched on the island of Palma de Mallorca to protest the impact of mass tourism. Spain’s national statistics office, INE, reported that the first five months of 2024 saw over 33 million tourists visit the country, a 13.6% increase compared to the previous year.
Spain is not alone in grappling with the challenges posed by mass tourism. Earlier this year, Venice, Italy, became the first city to impose a fee on daily visitors in an effort to manage the influx of tourists and mitigate its impact on the local population.
The protests in Barcelona highlight the growing tension between the benefits of tourism and its negative effects on local communities. While tourism brings significant economic benefits, it also leads to rising living costs, overcrowding, and a loss of local culture and identity. The actions of the protesters in Barcelona reflect a desire for a more balanced approach to tourism, one that prioritizes the needs and well-being of local residents.
As cities around the world continue to attract increasing numbers of tourists, finding sustainable solutions to manage tourism’s impact will be crucial. Measures such as limiting tourist licenses, imposing visitor fees, and promoting responsible tourism practices may help strike a balance between welcoming visitors and preserving the quality of life for local residents.
Source: CBS/AFP
