Tourism has its pros and cons, like everything else in this world. And much like everything else, it should be regulated and moderated.
Sadly, for popular tourist spots such as Barcelona, tourism hasn’t been much of a good thing for the local residents. Quite frankly, they’re fed up with it.
On Saturday, July 6, 2024, protesters in Barcelona acted on their anger towards overtourism and took to the streets to make their sentiments known. Others carried signs that read, “Tourists Go Home You Are Not Welcome,” “Barcelona is not for sale,” and more.
This demonstration is similar to the ones held in the Canary Islands, Palma de Mallorca, and Malaga, where protesters had condemned the effects of mass tourism, which heavily impacts living costs, housing, and the standard of living of local residents.
Barcelona, a city in the northeastern part of Spain, and the capital of the region of Catalonia, is the most visited city in the country. In 2023, the city boasted a number of 26 million visitors who made an overnight stay. In the same year, Barcelona also received more than 4 million visitors during its peak months in July and August.
Barcelona is most famously known for its art and architecture—most specifically, the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, which was designed by Antoni Gaudí, is considered to be the city’s most famous landmark. Other buildings and places designed by Gaudí such as the Park Güell, Palau Güell, and the Casa Milà (La Pedrera) are also highly popular tourist spots.
Because of the number of tourists that Barcelona receives, residents in the city say that Barcelona has become unlivable. The housing market for locals, in particular, has risen to 70% in the last decade, as said by the city’s mayor, Jaume Collboni last June 22, 2024.
As a result, many of Barcelona’s residents are angry with the city almost exploding due to mass tourism and took action. A protest was held, which according to the Barcelona City Council, was attended by 2,800 people in the Barcelona city center.
What were they protesting for? In the words of the Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turístic (Neighborhood Assembly for Tourism Degrowth), they want a reduction of tourists and a new model of tourism for Barcelona, which apparently include the closing of cruise ship terminals (day-trippers), the regulation of tourist accommodation, the end to public spending on tourism promotion, and more.
Some of the protesters, however, in place of placards and signages with different slogans, opted for a…quite unthinkable way of showing how angry they are at the situation.
With police-style tape and water guns.
This is #Barcelona.
Imagine saving up your hard-earned money to travel to Europe, hoping to enjoy the sights and contribute to their struggling economy.
Instead, you find yourself being sprayed with water guns with “tourists go back home” placards.
— Kumar Manish (@kumarmanish9) July 8, 2024
Thousands of residents in Barcelona took to the streets, shooting water guns at visitors and taping off hotel exits to protest against tourism. They say it’s making the housing crisis worse and contributing to water shortages amid extreme heat and drought. @EVYSTADIUM reports: pic.twitter.com/LWACnValIk
— WIRED (@WIRED) July 8, 2024
barcelona streets are less safe than kiev please don't come ⚠️ no more sangria only water guns this days it's TERRIFYING https://t.co/I9URna1bDn
— toi toi (@elpolyklin) July 8, 2024
So many of you have heard about the protests in Barcelona against tourism.
And as a barcelonian I have a few things to say about it..
— Polo & the Ollies (@ClawedDays) July 11, 2024
People on the Internet were divided, most especially with how the protesters seemed to be aiming their anger towards the tourists. Others also pointed out how it is the government’s fault for failing to create policies that protect the interests of locals, while some were sympathizing with the locals in Barcelona.
I notice a lot of people are bashing Barcelona residents for reacting like this but if you actually visit the city, you will understand why they feel this way. Tourism is completely out of control in Barcelona and the city often felt like a theme park. https://t.co/SlbTDd2FhJ
— Phryne Astynome (@PAstynome) July 9, 2024
As someone who grew up in a poor area that's getting made unlivable by overtourism/Airbnb's https://t.co/9raVafSQd9 pic.twitter.com/tF832HiYHS
— Estrie⚢ (@AdorableEstrie) July 9, 2024
As an Aussie living in Barcelona for the last year a few ppl have sent me this.
The truth is, apart from it being a pretty funny form of protest, it is a pretty serious issue here. Rental prices are at all-time highs, local salaries are stagnant, many areas over-crowded. 1/3 https://t.co/iqUqu0hbXh
— Nick Stoll (@NickStoll) July 8, 2024
And for this tourists should not be held responsible. It is more or less a failure of the government to bring in a policy that protects the locals and their interests.
— Kumar Manish (@kumarmanish9) July 8, 2024
An unfortunate situation where the wrong people are targeted for the injustice made by their government.
The people of Barcelona need to use their voting rights and protest against their officials, not tourists. https://t.co/3rZReX7BjN— Kristi (@Kr1stikicks) July 10, 2024
Imagine traveling to Europe to spend your hard-earned money in their dying economy
And you end up getting sprayed with water guns by angry degrowth protesters pic.twitter.com/HllUVmOGzH
— @levelsio (@levelsio) July 7, 2024
how out of touch do you have to be to think you are saving our economy when you’re actually the main reason locals cannot afford to live in their own cities https://t.co/75dpotp9lR
— 𝘮𝘪𝘮𝘪 *ੈ✩‧₊˚ (@vvxngogh) July 8, 2024
"Spend our hard-earned money in their dying economy" is so wild to me when all you do here is stay in rbnb's that once belonged to a family and go to the most gentrified establishments you can find. Make all of us a favor and go throw yourself off a balcony https://t.co/070ZLcjeWu
— ⭑Pau⭑ (@_deliri0_) July 9, 2024
el sur de europa NO es vuestro parque de atracciones, españa NO es vuestro parque de atracciones, barcelona NO es vuestro parque de atracciones, queremos vivir dignamente sin ser echados de nuestras ciudades por los precios imposibles y disparados por el turismo descontrolado https://t.co/NKOxUahfox
— jude (@judiaspochas) July 8, 2024
Scandal! There was an anti-tourism demonstration in Barcelona. A few thought it was a good idea to spray tourists in a restaurant with water guns. Now it's in all international newspapers and social media.
I wonder if these two bitches in this photo never go on holiday? pic.twitter.com/w5ZmeH7nur
— Frank – Queen of Schengen 🇪🇺🏳🌈 (@ChillaxBcn) July 8, 2024
To be honest, we should be giving the same energy to our own country and tourist spots. But, as always, not everyone is ready for that conversation just yet.
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