Thousands protested in Barcelona on Saturday against overtourism in the Catalan capital, which welcomes thousands of visitors annually, leading to increasing anger in Spain, the second most popular tourist destination in the world. Under the slogan "Enough! Let's impose restrictions on tourism," around 2,800 people marched, according to the police, demanding a change in the city's economic model, which is considered the top tourist destination in the country.
Jordi Giu, a 70-year-old sociologist from Barcelona, stated, "We have nothing against tourism, but we oppose overtourism because it makes the city unlivable." Marching behind a banner that read "Reduce Tourism Now," the demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Tourists out of our neighborhoods," stopping in front of some hotels, which surprised visitors.
Critics of overtourism particularly denounce its impact on housing prices, with rents rising by 68% over the last decade, according to the Barcelona City Council. They also criticize its harmful effects on local businesses, the environment, and the working conditions of local employees. Isa Miralles, a 35-year-old musician living in the Barceloneta neighborhood, noted, "Stores are closing to make way for a business model that does not meet the needs of the neighborhood. People can't afford rent and are forced to leave."
Barcelona welcomed more than 12 million tourists last year, according to the city council. To make it easier for residents to find housing, the city council recently announced its intention to put an end to tourist apartment rentals by 2029.
From the Balearic Islands to the Canary Islands, and through major tourist cities in Andalusia like Malaga, the number of movements against overtourism is increasing in Spain. Spain welcomed a record 85.1 million foreign visitors last year, becoming the second most popular tourist destination after France. The most visited region was Catalonia, with 18 million visitors, followed by the Balearic Islands (14.4 million) and the Canary Islands (13.9 million).
Tourism accounts for 12.8% of Spain's GDP and 12.6% of jobs.
