‘Tourists, go home!’: Spanish tourism under siege as protests erupt in Barcelona and Mallorca

Barcelona witnessed a wave of anti-tourism protests as residents expressed their growing frustration over the impact of mass tourism on their city.

Demonstrators used water guns to target tourists and taped up hotel exits, preventing guests from leaving. This protest is the latest in a series of actions highlighting the adverse effects of the tourism industry on local communities.

The Catalan capital, which welcomed over 12 million tourists in 2023, saw approximately 2,800 protesters march through the streets on July 6. Videos circulating on social media captured scenes of residents spraying water at tourists in the popular Las Ramblas district.

Protesters carried banners with slogans such as “Tourists, go home!” and “Barcelona is not for sale,” reflecting the escalating tensions between locals and the burgeoning number of visitors.

A key issue driving the protests is the sky-rocketing cost of housing. According to property website Idealista, rental prices in Barcelona have surged by 18% in the past year, and over the last decade, rents have increased by 68%.

This has made the city increasingly unaffordable for many residents. The proliferation of tourist apartments has exacerbated the housing crisis, prompting calls for regulatory changes.

In response, The Local reported that Barcelona’s Mayor Jaume Collboni announced a ban on more than 10,000 tourist apartment rentals by 2028. This move follows similar measures by former Mayor Ada Colau in 2017.

The Neighbourhood Assembly for Tourism Degrowth (ABDT), which organised the recent protests, has set forth 13 proposals to curb tourism's negative impacts. These include reducing tourist accommodation, protecting local commerce, and improving conditions for tourism sector workers.

The situation in Barcelona mirrors broader discontent across Spain. In Mallorca, protests are planned for later this month. Organisers, including the Menys Turisme, Més Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) platform, are mobilising against overcrowding and the lack of affordable housing.

The anti-tourism sentiment is not unique to Barcelona and Mallorca. In April, 50,000 people protested in the Canary Islands, and similar demonstrations occurred in Palma de Mallorca and Malaga in recent months.

IOL