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Protests against tourism continue in Spain due to rising living costs and environmental pollution, causing discomfort in residents’ daily lives.
According to BBC and Reuters, on July 21, recent protests took place in major Spanish tourist destinations, including Barcelona, Mallorca, Malaga, and the Canary Islands.
On July 6, thousands of protesters gathered in downtown Barcelona, shooting water guns at tourists and shouting, “Go home.” They even marked no-entry zones in restaurants that were popular with tourists.
The BBC reported, “The beaches of Mallorca are packed with tourists, making it extremely difficult to find parking, and the constant ringing of payment notifications can be heard in shops and restaurants.”
However, locals are protesting the spread of tourism without reaping the economic benefits. They argue that rents and prices in major tourist areas have soared, local identities have been eroded, and the environment has suffered significant damage.
Sonia, a 31-year-old resident, said she and her partner decided to separate, but they still live in the same house because they cannot afford the rent. She plans to participate in the anti-tourism protest that day.
Recently, Barcelona announced plans to ban short-term apartment rentals for tourists and to increase the tax imposed on cruise passengers. Currently, Barcelona charges a tourist tax of 7 euros per day (approximately $8) to passengers docking on cruises.
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