Barcelona residents’ water spray targets tourists
Residents Resist Mass Tourism in Barcelona
Thousands of demonstrators marched through central Barcelona over the weekend, protesting against mass tourism. Holding placards and chanting “tourists go home,” participants also sprayed water guns at tourists. According to local police, 2,800 people joined the protest to highlight the negative impacts of overwhelming visitor numbers.
Growing Protests Across Spain
This protest is part of a larger movement across Spain. On Saturday evening, July 6, another anti-tourism rally took place in Barcelona. Protesters carried signs reading, “Barcelona is not for sale” and demanded, “Tourists out of our neighborhood” as they marched through Las Ramblas.
Organized Protest
The march, organized by over 140 groups including neighborhood associations and housing activists, started at Les Drassanes at 6.30 pm. Demonstrators argue that the influx of tourists has driven up living costs, property prices, deepened social inequality, and restricted housing access.
Rising Anger
This wave of anger follows a major protest on June 8, when around 3,000 young people marched through the streets. Organized by left-wing youth groups, the protest addressed issues ranging from housing to environmental concerns. According to the property website Idealista, rents in tourist cities like Barcelona and Madrid increased by 18% in June compared to the previous year.
Voices of Protest
One protester told Reuters: “We are here against mass tourism in Barcelona. The city caters too much to tourists, and we want it for citizens.” Another added, “Restaurants and hotels profit, but locals struggle. That’s a problem.”
Leadership Response
In response to growing pressure, Barcelona’s mayor Jaume Collboni announced a plan to phase out all short-term rentals by 2028 and reduce the number of tourist apartments. Spain’s Socialist housing minister, Isabel Rodriguez, supports these measures, emphasizing the need for affordable housing.
Protests Beyond Barcelona
This weekend’s protests mirror similar demonstrations in other popular tourist destinations like the Balearic and Canary Islands. On May 25, around 15,000 people marched in Palma, Majorca, with signs reading “SOS Tourism” and “Let’s save Majorca, foreigners out.” The following day, Ibiza and the Canary Islands saw their own protests against the impacts of mass tourism.
Understanding ‘Overtourism’
The term ‘overtourism,’ introduced by Freya Petersen in 2001, describes excessive tourism development and governance shortcomings. It’s not just about having too many tourists; it’s about tourist demand exceeding the capacity of host communities. Poor governance exacerbates the problem, and firm policy responses are needed to manage tourist demand.
Addressing the Issue
Overtourism is also a social phenomenon. Different cultures have varying expectations of personal space and tourism impacts. Radical policy measures, like Amsterdam banning cruise ships and destinations focusing on quality tourism, are becoming common. Advocacy campaigns and controlled access, as seen in Venice, aim to promote responsible tourism.
Comprehensive Solutions
A multifaceted approach is necessary to address overtourism. The tourism supply chain must share responsibility and redirect tourism beyond popular sites. Local authorities must enforce capacity limits, and tourists should act responsibly. Investors in tourism should prioritize local needs over profit extraction.
Re-reported from the article originally published in World News.
