Barcelona, a city famed for its vibrant culture and stunning architecture, recently made headlines for a less glamorous reason: a group of anti-tourism protesters using water pistols to chase away tourists from restaurant terraces. The incident, which quickly spread across global media, has put a spotlight on the growing resentment towards mass tourism not only in Barcelona but across Europe.
In recent years, Europe has been dubbed the world’s museum, drawing millions of international visitors annually. Last year alone, European countries hosted 709 million international visitors, with Spain emerging as the second-most visited country globally, welcoming 85 million foreign travellers. However, this influx has not come without its challenges.
Spain, in particular, finds itself at the forefront of the tourism backlash. Residents in popular destinations like Barcelona, the Canary Islands, and Mallorca have expressed increasing frustration over the negative impacts of mass tourism. Issues such as unaffordable housing, strained public transport, depleted water supplies, and antisocial behaviour from tourists have led to widespread protests. In the past three months, anti-tourism protests have drawn thousands of participants across Spain.
Barcelona has become the epicentre of these tensions. Martí Cusó, one of the organisers of the recent protest, describes tourism in Barcelona as a form of “violence” that occupies public spaces and drives up costs, pushing locals out. “People are pissed off,” Cusó says, noting that the water pistol incident, while unplanned, was a manifestation of the deep-seated frustration among residents.
Despite the dramatic nature of the protests, organisers emphasise that their anger is not directed at individual tourists but at the unchecked growth of the tourism industry and the governmental policies that enable it. “The responsibility lies with the tourism industry and governments that have allowed the industry to do whatever it wants,” Cusó explains.
Tourism is a double-edged sword for Spain. The industry is a vital part of the economy, contributing 12-13% of the national GDP and providing numerous jobs. Over the past six decades, tourism has played a crucial role in lifting Spain’s economic status. However, the protests suggest that the social and environmental costs of tourism are increasingly outweighing its benefits.
Jordi Hereu, Spain’s tourism minister, acknowledges the need to find a balance. While celebrating last year’s record visitor numbers as an “unquestionable success,” Hereu stresses the importance of addressing residents’ concerns. “We must listen to the demands, wherever they come from because without citizens, there are no tourist destinations,” he says.
The challenge for Spain is to develop a tourism model that sustains economic benefits while mitigating negative impacts on local communities. This requires a multifaceted approach, including better regulation of tourist accommodations, investment in infrastructure, and policies that promote responsible tourism.
One slogan from the Canary Islands encapsulates the sentiment of many Spaniards: “Tourism, yes. But not like this.” The goal is not to reject tourism but to reshape it in a way that respects both the needs of visitors and the rights of residents.
As Spain grapples with the growing backlash against mass tourism, the path forward lies in creating a sustainable model that balances economic gains with social and environmental well-being. Barcelona’s recent protests serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for change. By listening to residents and implementing thoughtful policies, Spain can transform its tourism industry into a force for positive change, ensuring that its famed destinations remain vibrant and livable for generations.
