Protesters in Barcelona Demonstrate Against Mass Tourism

Thousands of demonstrators in Barcelona protested against mass tourism, with some resorting to using water guns on tourists dining outdoors. The protest was fueled by rising rents and housing costs in tourist cities like Barcelona and Madrid, prompting Barcelona's mayor to announce a plan to phase out short-term lets by 2028. The mayor's move aims to address the impact of tourism on housing affordability and livability for residents. The anti-tourism protesters marched through popular tourist areas in Barcelona, drenching diners with water guns and carrying banners with messages like "Tourism kills the city" and "Dear Tourist: Balconing is fun!" The demonstration highlighted concerns about over-tourism, with some protesters blocking off hotels and restaurants symbolically. Despite heated exchanges, police maintained order during the protest, which saw families being forced to leave their tables due to the commotion. Barcelona's mayor, Jaume Collboni, reiterated his commitment to limiting mass tourism and its effects, including plans to ban Airbnb-style rentals by 2028 and increase the city's tourism tax. The protest in Barcelona is part of a larger trend in Spain, with other cities like Málaga and the Canary Islands witnessing public demonstrations against the impact of tourism on locals' quality of life. Spain saw a record 85 million foreign visitors in 2023, with projections indicating another record year in 2024. The protest in Barcelona reflects growing concerns about the negative consequences of mass tourism on local communities, particularly in terms of housing affordability and quality of life. The use of water guns on tourists and the mayor's proposed measures to address over-tourism underscore the tensions between the economic benefits of tourism and its impact on residents. As Spain continues to attract record numbers of visitors, the debate over sustainable tourism practices and their effects on local populations is likely to intensify.