Protests against over-tourism continue in destinations around the world, but in Spain the conflict is coming to a head. Earlier this month, Barcelona residents protested over-tourism on the city streets by spraying water at tourists with water pistols and marching through the streets chanting “tourists go home.” Reports from CNN indicate that thousands of locals gathered for a march through the streets of Palma de Mallorca, calling on lawmakers to provide an “alternative tourism model” and to increase access to housing, improve public services and increase conservation and regeneration of natural areas.
Spanish public broadcaster RTVE reported that around 110 groups and social movements attended the protests. Demonstrators were seen carrying signs reading “Tourists we love you when you don’t buy our land,” or “Your paradise is our nightmare.”
Around the world, many countries have seen the adverse effects of over-tourism on historic sites, and the overpopulation of cities. In places like Barcelona, anti-tourist protests have drawn attention to how mass tourism affects local residents in popular destinations as well.
Local governments are responding to the public’s demands. In Barcelona, mayor Jaume Collboni has announced plans to increase the tourist tax for cruise passengers staying in the city for less than 12 hours. Collboni is a member of the Catalan Socialist party, and has already introduced several measures to reduce mass tourism and improve housing, according to Times of India.
Collboni announced at the end of June that Barcelona would put an end to apartment rentals for tourists by 2028 by completely throwing out short-term rental licenses for over 10,000 apartments. CNN reports this would make rent more affordable for residents who have seen a rent increase of 68% in the past decade.
It’s no secret that the most popular destinations around the world are fed up with short term rentals driving up rent and reducing housing for actual locals. This year in Florence, new laws have prevented any new short-term rentals from being leased in the city center; what’s more, those who switch their short-term rentals to ordinary leases are offered tax breaks.
Featured Image: Storefront in Barcelona (Photo by VD Image Lab)
