Thousands of protesters marched through Barcelona over the weekend, expressing frustration over the impact of mass tourism on Spain’s most visited city. Demonstrators in the La Barceloneta neighbourhood sprayed bystanders with water guns, forcing some diners to change tables while other restaurants were symbolically taped off.
Protesters, carrying banners reading “Tourists go home,” called for a reduction in foreign visitors. “I have nothing against tourism, but here in Barcelona we are suffering from an excess of tourism that has made our city unlivable,” a demonstrator told AFP.
The rising cost of housing, which has increased by 68% over the past decade, is a major concern for residents. Another protester told Reuters, “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.”
In June, Barcelona’s Mayor Jaume Collboni announced a plan to stop renewing tourist licenses by 2028, aiming to make properties currently rented to tourists available to locals. Over 12 million tourists visited the city last year, drawn by attractions like the Sagrada Familia basilica.
This protest follows similar demonstrations in other Spanish tourist hotspots. In June, 15,000 people protested in Málaga, and in May, over 10,000 marched in Palma de Mallorca against mass tourism.
According to Spain’s national statistics office, INE, the first five months of 2024 saw over 33 million tourists, a 13.6% increase from the previous year. Spain isn’t alone in facing tourism challenges; Venice, Italy, recently imposed a fee on daily visitors.
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