NOn were summer apprenticeships, but a true declaration of intent. In Barcelona, hundreds of people took to the street armed with water pistols to denounce the effects of the loveorourism on the city. A symbolic, colorful and pungent gesture that has gone around the world: spray tourists To attract attention to a now structural problem. The housing crisis, the loss of local identity, the price of rentals in a dizzying increase and pressure on public services These are just some of the knots highlighted by the demonstrators. But behind the theatricality of the protest there is a clear message: Barcelona can’t take it anymore.
Barcelona, mass tourism grows but it is housing crisis
Barcelona, 1.7 million inhabitants, welcomed 15.5 million tourists in 2023. A figure that, according to the demonstrators, has passed the point of no return. Among them also Andreu Martínez, 42 years old, who has Ironically spray a couple sitting at the bar: “Water pistols are used to bother tourists a little.” And then he explained toAssociated Press: «Barcelona was delivered to tourists. This is a struggle to return it to its inhabitants».
The complaint is clear: Stars rentals, historic shops replaced by fast food and souvenirsand a city that empties of its soul. “Our life as residents of Barcelona is ending,” said Martínez. “They are systematically expelled us”.
Protests throughout Spain: less tourism, more rights
Over 600 people participated in the event organized by the Shareholders’ Meeting for tourist decrease. Also present presenting hotels, public transport employees and ecological movements. The most common slogan: “One more tourist is one less resident”.
At the center of the claims are the blocking of the expansion of the El Prat airport, the reduction of tourist licenses and measures against gentrification. Tourism comes accused of emptying the neighborhoods and increasing the costs of the life, compromising the right to the house. Also Other Spanish cities have mobilized The same weekend: Palma di Mallorca, Granada, Ibiza and San Sebastián. All ask for more rigid limits to tourist rentals, greater control over Airbnb and public policies to protect residents.
The first answers to Barcelona: less Airbnb and tourist licenses
The Spanish government has ordered the removal of 66,000 ads of illegal rentals. The Municipality of Barcelona promised to eliminate over 10,000 tourist licenses by 2028. The goal is to reduce the pressure on housing and return housing spaces to citizens. According to activists, however, these measures come late and are not yet enough. They ask for a change of economic model, which does not depend on mass tourism.
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