Anti-Tourism Protesters In Barcelona Tell Tourists To "Go Home" While Firing Water Pistols At Visitors
Protests against mass tourism in Barcelona reached new heights on Saturday as demonstrators took to the streets, spraying tourists with water guns and blocking hotel entrances with tape.
Organised by the Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turistic (Neighborhood Assembly for Tourism Degrowth), around 3,000 people participated in the protest, carrying signs with messages like "Tourists go home" and "Barcelona is not Disneyland."
The protestors' main grievances revolve around the negative impact of over tourism on the city. They argue that the influx of visitors has led to gentrification, higher living costs, and environmental damage.
"It hurts the city and its people and it's not even worth it for you," a spokesperson for the group told Sky News, advising potential tourists to reconsider their trips to Barcelona.
Tourism across Spain skyrockets
In 2023, Barcelona saw nearly 26 million overnight visitors, contributing to a 68% rise in rents over the past decade, and Spain as a whole welcomed a record-breaking 85 million international tourists. However, the balance between economic benefits and the quality of life for residents is increasingly precarious.
Mayor Jaume Collboni has announced measures to address these issues, including plans to ban short-term rentals by 2028 and increase the nightly tourist tax. However, critics argue these measures are insufficient.
The city's tourism sector has grown dramatically over the past few decades. Hotels in Barcelona quadrupled from 1990 to 2023, while the number of travellers surged from 1.7 million to 7.8 million. This growth has put a strain on local resources and exacerbated housing affordability issues, leading to widespread discontent among residents.
Protests across Spain are pushing for government to reduce the country’s dependence on tourism
Saturday's protest is part of a broader movement across Spain, with similar demonstrations occurring in the Canary Islands and Mallorca. The aim is to reduce tourist numbers and shift towards a more sustainable tourism model. The protesters have called for the closure of cruise ship terminals, stricter regulations on tourist accommodations, and an end to public spending on tourism promotion.
Protestors believe that addressing over tourism requires more than individual travellers changing their habits. They are advocating for systemic changes that reduce the city's dependence on tourism and distribute its economic benefits in a more impartial way. "Most of that money stays in the hands of a few rich [people]," the spokesperson said, highlighting the precarious nature of tourism sector jobs.
Rosario Sanchez, Spain's secretary of state for tourism, condemned the protests, emphasising that the country remains one of the "safest tourist destinations." She noted that while specific incidents with tourists are regrettable, they do not reflect the overall reality of Spain.
As Barcelona grapples with these challenges, the debate over tourism's role in the city's future continues. While the economic contribution of tourism is recognized, many residents feel that the city's capacity has been stretched to its limit. The tension between welcoming visitors and maintaining a livable city for locals remains a central issue in Barcelona's ongoing struggle with overtourism.
