Spain has seen a surge in protests against mass tourism, with residents using water pistols to target visitors in cities like Barcelona and Mallorca. The demonstrations come as thousands of people gathered in the streets to demand a rethink of an economic model that is fueling housing crunches and erasing the character of their hometowns.
The issue centers on short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, which has been blamed for driving up housing costs and pushing locals out of their neighborhoods. Residents say they are being priced out by tourists renting apartments for weeks or months at a time.
“We’re not just fighting against tourism, we’re fighting to give our city back to its residents,” said Andreu Martínez, a 42-year-old administrative assistant who was part of the protest in Barcelona. “Our lives as lifelong residents are coming to an end because of this.”
The protests were accompanied by chants and homemade signs that read “Everywhere you look, all you see are tourists” and “Citizen Self-Defense.” Some protesters used water guns to spray themselves in the heat, while others engaged with tourists who laughed off the water blasts.
Despite the tensions, many tourists expressed support for the protesters’ cause. Wanda Dorozenski, an American tourist, said she appreciated the residents’ efforts to address the issue of mass tourism. “These people are feeling something very personal, and perhaps destroying some areas (of the city),” she said.
Spanish authorities have been cracking down on short-term rentals, with Airbnb ordered to remove over 66,000 holiday rentals that violate local rules. The government has also announced plans to eliminate all short-term rental licenses in Barcelona by 2028.
The protests are part of a growing movement across southern Europe to address the issues of overtourism and its impact on local communities. As the tourism industry contributes 12% of Spain’s gross domestic product, residents are fighting for their rights and their homes.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/spain-tourism-housing-airbnb-protest-46250dd17afbfcd270e4f951865ae667