Protesters in Barcelona have taken their frustrations with mass tourism to the streets, targeting visitors with water pistols and chants of “tourists go home.” The demonstration highlights a growing movement against the overwhelming influx of tourists that disrupts local life.
Protesters Target Mass Tourism
In Barcelona, protesters have taken to spraying visitors with water to express their discontent with mass tourism. Chanting “tourists go home,” they marched through popular tourist areas, armed with water pistols and signs saying “Barcelona is not for sale.”
Thousands March Against Tourism
Thousands of demonstrators hit the streets, joining a growing movement against mass tourism in Spain. Similar protests have erupted in the Canary Islands and Mallorca, highlighting concerns over rising living costs and declining quality of life for locals.
Local Organizations Lead the Charge
The protest was spearheaded by over 100 local organizations under the Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turístic. Their goal is to address the adverse effects of tourism on the city and advocate for sustainable changes.
Visitor Numbers and Economic Impact
Official data shows that nearly 26 million tourists stayed overnight in the Barcelona region in 2023, contributing €12.75 billion ($13.8 billion) to the local economy. Despite this economic boost, activists argue that tourism inflates prices and strains public services, exacerbating social inequality.
Proposals for Change
The Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turístic has put forth 13 proposals to curb tourism numbers and shift towards a new tourism model. Their suggestions include shutting down cruise ship terminals, tightening regulations on tourist accommodations, and halting public funding for tourism promotion.
Mayor’s Measures to Curb Tourism
Barcelona’s mayor, Jaume Collboni, has recently introduced measures to mitigate the impact of mass tourism. Among these are an increase in the nightly tourist tax to €4 ($4.30) and restrictions on the number of cruise ship passengers.
Future of Short-Term Rentals
Collboni announced plans to phase out apartment rentals for tourists by 2028, eliminating short-term rental licenses for over 10,000 apartments. This move aims to make housing more affordable for long-term residents, with rents having surged 68% in the past decade and home buying costs up 38%.
Criticism of Mayor Collboni
Despite his efforts to reduce mass tourism, Mayor Jaume Collboni faces criticism for hosting high-profile events like a Louis Vuitton catwalk show in Parc Güell and the upcoming America’s Cup sailing competition. These events are seen as contradictory to his stance against overtourism.
Discontent Across Spain
Barcelona’s growing discontent mirrors protests in other Spanish regions. In April, Canary Islands residents protested against excessive tourism, citing issues like rising housing costs and environmental damage.
Global Concerns of Overtourism
Similar complaints are echoed in tourist hotspots worldwide, which have seen record visitor numbers post-pandemic. While beneficial to local economies, this surge brings downsides such as noise, pollution, traffic, and strained resources, impacting locals’ quality of life and visitors’ experiences.
Combating Overtourism
Many popular tourist destinations are implementing measures to address overtourism. Initiatives include new or increased tourist taxes, campaigns to discourage problematic behavior, and attendance caps at major attractions.
