A large-scale anti-tourism protest occurred in Barcelona, Spain’s leading tourist destination. Some tourists were sprayed with water guns by these protesters. According to foreign media, an anti-protest happened in Barcelona with 2,800 local protesters. Overtourism refers to the phenomenon where the influx of tourists exceeds the tolerable limit, infringing upon the lives of residents.
Protesters marched down the streets holding signs that said, “Tourists go home” and “You are not welcome.” Some even sprayed water guns at tourists sitting on the outdoor terraces of popular restaurants.
This is not the first anti-tourism protest. Similar incidents have recently happened in Majorca, the Canary Islands, and Málaga. This year, 91 million tourists are expected to visit Spain, twice the population.
On the other hand, tourists will generate revenue of 125 billion euros (135 billion USD). However, protesters believe tourism does more harm than benefit as it causes pollution and other problems.
The cost of housing also played a huge role. As the number of tourists increased, many homes converted to tourist accommodations, causing rents to skyrocket. Over the past decade, rents in Barcelona rose by 68%. In response, the city council decided to levy a city tax of up to 4 euros (4.33 USD) per person and wholly banned short-term rentals such as Airbnb from the end of 2028.
However, the protesters believe these measures are not enough. One resident noted, “Local shops are closing because they can’t afford the rent.” In contrast, another noted, “It’s not that we’re against tourism, but it’s a fact that Barcelona has become a difficult city because there are too many tourists.”
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