Spain is expecting record crowds of foreign tourists, which is not to the taste of some residents. This year, protests against excessive tourism will appear again, whose water pistols have become symbol. The nearest ones are scheduled for June 15, including in Barcelona, San Sebastian or Baleara.
“Tourists Go Home (tourists home)” – you can read on one of the walls in the center of Madrid, which in June fills up with newcomers from other countries, including Poland. Capital Spain However, it is not a place of the largest protests against mass tourism in the country. These take place, among others in Barcelona, Andalusia or Balearic. In mid -May, over 20,000 came to the streets in the Canary Islands. people.
“We were afraid that protests could also apply to us”
In 2024, a record number of 94 million foreign tourists came to Spain. Among them were almost 2.5 million Poles, also the most in history. – I checked news about protests before arrival. We were afraid that they could also apply to us – said Andrzej in an interview with PAP, who and his family moved to Spain for several weeks in April.
Protests against mass tourism in the Canary IslandsAndres Gutierrez/Anadol via Getty Images
In a small town on Costa Blanca in the eastern part of Spanish, nothing happened to him, he did not experience unpleasantness in the Alicante tourist car away. – In Alicante on the walls I even saw posters calling for not organizing actions against tourists in fear of bankruptcy of businesses earning on visitors – noted Andrzej.
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Water in tourists
In some major cities of Spain, however, protests take quite direct forms. In July 2024, the world was circulated, like the inhabitants of Barcelona, who chanted the slogan “Tourists Go Home”, poured foreign guests from water pistols sitting in restaurants and bars. The Barcelona City Council criticized this behavior. “Protesting against mass tourism must be in line with respect for people who visit Barcelona,” called the deputy mayor Jordi Valls. However, the authorities' appeal did not stop this type of behavior. At the end of April, a group of demonstrators detained a tourist bus in front of the famous Sagrada Church, pouring passengers with water. Further protests in the capital of Catalonia will take place on June 15. Their symbol is also to be water pistols that can make the lives of tourists miserable. “Tourism steals bread, roof over our heads and future!” – Alarm ABDT, conducting actions against mass tourism.
Additional fee and difficulties in the rental
Such actions are also taken by Spanish autonomous communities, including Catalonia. In the autumn, a new tourist tax is to enter, which in Barcelona, the capital of the region, can be up to 15 euros per night. In turn, the mayor of Barcelona Jaume Collboni previously announced a closing plan by 2028 by all short -term rentals.
Spain. Protests against mass tourismPAP/EPA/Maria Alonso
Protests planned for mid -June will take place in several European countries, apart from Spain also in Portugal and in Italy. The tourist sector is responsible for over 12 percent. GDP Spain, giving work over 2.5 million people, which is 11.6 percent. total employment. The World Council for Travel and Tourism (WTTC) estimates that the participation of this sector in the development of the Spanish economy will grow – in 2034 it may be responsible for even 17 percent. GDP.
Source of the main photo: Badpixma / Shutterstock