Anti-Tourism Protests in Barcelona: A Sweeping Pushback Against Over-Tourism

Residents of Barcelona are pushing back against the overwhelming presence of tourists in the city, with protests and demonstrations taking place across the city. The Assembly for Tourism Degrowth, a group of activists who organized the protests, aim to highlight the negative impact of mass tourism on local residents and the city's infrastructure. Protesters argue that tourism is a form of "economic colonisation," where quality of life is sacrificed for the comfort of short-term visitors, and that the city's housing crisis is exacerbated by the proliferation of short-term lets and Airbnb.

Key Takeaways:

• The protests were co-ordinated across southern Europe on Sunday, with demonstrations taking place in Madrid, Palma, Venice, and Lisbon, in addition to Barcelona.
• The Assembly for Tourism Degrowth's goal is not to reduce tourism, but to reduce the number of tourists visiting the city, in order to preserve the quality of life for local residents.
• The protests targeted tourist attractions such as the Sagrada Familia, Louis Vuitton stores, and outdoor restaurant tables, as well as short-term rental properties.
• Protesters used water pistols to "soak" tourists, and in one incident, a hostel was attacked with smoke bombs and water pistols.
• The protests were accompanied by a manifesto that accused authorities of "brutal gentrification" and "population replacement."
• Barcelona's mayor has announced plans to ban all short-term tourist rentals by 2029, in an effort to address the city's housing crisis.
• The movement is gaining momentum, with protests taking place across southern Europe and the Spanish government approving a $3.2 billion expansion of the city's airport.

Statistics:

• 11.7 million tourists visited Barcelona in 2024, a 5% increase on the previous year.
• The city has more than 10,000 flats licensed for tourists, with plans to return many of these to locals by 2029.
• The Spanish government has approved a $3.2 billion expansion of the city's airport, indicating that tourism is likely to continue to thrive in Barcelona.

Sources:

• Byline: Kieran Kelly in in Barcelona My day with Spanish anti-tourist activists giving Britons a soaking
• Associated Press
• BBC News