Thousands Protest Overtourism in Barcelona as City Faces Rising Costs and Strained Services

Barcelona, Spain - Thousands of locals took to the streets of Barcelona on Saturday to protest against the growing problem of overtourism in the city. The protesters demanded that tourists "go home" as the city faces rising housing costs and strained public services due to the surge of visitors.

The main criticism was directed at the largely unregulated market for holiday rental apartments, which are taking up living space that could be used by locals. Major online vacation rental platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com were also targeted by the protesters, who called for stricter regulations on the tourism industry to address the negative impacts on the local community.

Similar protests have been taking place in other popular Spanish tourist destinations, such as the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. Movements against tourism have been growing in Spain, prompting authorities to try to balance the interests of locals and the lucrative tourism sector. Some cities have taken measures like limiting the size of tourist groups and banning the use of loudspeakers during guided tours.

The Spanish government acknowledges the need to address the issues caused by overtourism while also recognizing the importance of the tourism industry, which accounts for a significant portion of the country's economic activity. However, locals argue that the current model is unsustainable and is putting pressure on health services, waste management, water supplies, and housing.

Why this matters: The protests in Barcelona highlight the growing tension between the economic benefits of tourism and its negative impact on local communities. As more cities around the world grapple with overtourism, finding a sustainable balance that prioritizes the well-being of residents will be crucial for the future of the tourism industry.

In Tenerife, a group called Canaries Sold Out is staging a hunger strike to pressure authorities to stop the construction of two new hotels. "The influx of tourists is causing housing shortages, noise, and environmental pollution, as well as straining public services," said a spokesperson for the group. Despite the expected record €202.65 billion in tourism revenue for Spain in 2024, locals are urging the government to consider their interests and ensure sustainable tourism growth to prevent further social unrest.

Key Takeaways

• Thousands of Barcelona locals protest against overtourism and demand tourists "go home".
• Protesters criticize unregulated holiday rental market and call for stricter tourism regulations.
• Similar anti-tourism movements are growing in other popular Spanish tourist destinations.
• Spanish government acknowledges need to balance tourism benefits and local community impacts.
• Locals argue current tourism model is unsustainable, straining public services and housing.