In Barcelona, tensions between residents and tourists boiled over as protesters took to the streets, chanting "Go Home!" at visitors who filmed the demonstration. As locals squirted tourists with water pistols, the scene was punctuated with stickers on luxury stores, proclaiming guests unwelcome. Tourism, essential for Spain's economy and a major driver in Barcelona, has swollen to the point where many who live there feel displaced. Protests echoed calls for limits on unruly cruise ships and short-term rentals, with banners highlighting the rent increases driven by Airbnb and foreign workers.
Marina, a demonstrator, emphasized the impact on affordability: "Our goal is not to stop tourism, but to manage it better." The Sagrada Familia, one of the city's top attractions, draws millions of visitors yearly, putting increasing strain on local resources.
Elderly residents like Pepi Viu, who was recently evicted due to soaring rents, voiced their struggles for housing. Pepi, now residing in a hostel, lamented the lack of affordable options. Joan Alvarez, another local, is determined to fight for his long-time residence against mounting tourist conversions.
As the city grapples with these issues, authorities plan to ban short-term rentals by 2028, affecting 10,000 landlords. However, some landlords, like Jesus Pereda, argue that they're being unjustly blamed while the real factor behind rent hikes may be wealthy temporary workers, not just tourists.
Despite protests erupting across Spain and neighboring countries over similar issues, residents remain firm in their demands for balance in managing tourism, hoping for a future where they can coexist peacefully with visitors.
Marina, a demonstrator, emphasized the impact on affordability: "Our goal is not to stop tourism, but to manage it better." The Sagrada Familia, one of the city's top attractions, draws millions of visitors yearly, putting increasing strain on local resources.
Elderly residents like Pepi Viu, who was recently evicted due to soaring rents, voiced their struggles for housing. Pepi, now residing in a hostel, lamented the lack of affordable options. Joan Alvarez, another local, is determined to fight for his long-time residence against mounting tourist conversions.
As the city grapples with these issues, authorities plan to ban short-term rentals by 2028, affecting 10,000 landlords. However, some landlords, like Jesus Pereda, argue that they're being unjustly blamed while the real factor behind rent hikes may be wealthy temporary workers, not just tourists.
Despite protests erupting across Spain and neighboring countries over similar issues, residents remain firm in their demands for balance in managing tourism, hoping for a future where they can coexist peacefully with visitors.
