In July, anti-tourism protests erupted in Barcelona, with thousands of demonstrators chanting “Tourists go home!” The protests highlighted local frustrations with the impact of mass tourism on the city. However, just weeks later, Spain’s tourism board sent out a mass email encouraging visitors to return and promising a summer experience worth repeating.
Despite the protests, which included confrontations with tourists caught on video, international arrivals to Spain continued to rise, showing that many were not deterred by the demonstrations. In fact, August saw a 7% increase in international visitors, with 10.9 million people arriving in the country.
The protests did not stop tourists from flocking to Spain’s most popular destinations, including areas where the protests took place. In August, 2.4 million international visitors traveled to the Balearic Islands, a 4% increase from the previous year, while Catalonia, where Barcelona is located, saw a 6% rise.
Andalusia experienced the highest growth with a 9% increase in tourist numbers. Surveys showed that many travelers, especially from the U.S., were either unaware of the protests or unconcerned by them. Most who were aware said the protests had little to no effect on their travel decisions.
The July 6 protest was organized by the Assembly of Neighbourhoods for Tourism Degrowth, a group advocating for measures to reduce the negative impact of tourism on Barcelona. Their demands include curtailing the expansion of Barcelona’s airport, reducing cruise terminals, and restricting short-term rental properties.
Mass Tourism Sparks Protests in Barcelona, Yet Visitor Arrivals Surge Amid Local Discontent
Although Barcelona’s city council has responded by introducing a new tourism management plan, the group criticized the measures as largely cosmetic. They argue that the city’s focus on maintaining high tourist numbers continues to prioritize economic interests over residents’ quality of life.
Barcelona’s city council acknowledges the need to better manage the influx of tourists, as the city sees around 17 million visitors each year. Officials emphasize that tourism is essential to the local economy, accounting for 14% of the city’s GDP.
However, they stress the importance of managing the flow of tourists to avoid exceeding social and environmental limits. One recent move by the council is the introduction of a nightly tourism surcharge, though protest leaders argue this is more about generating revenue than addressing the core issues of overtourism.
Despite the challenges, the Assembly of Neighbourhoods for Tourism Degrowth remains optimistic about their cause. According to Daniel Pardo Rivacoba, a leader in the movement, public opinion in Barcelona is shifting, with more residents acknowledging the negative effects of mass tourism. He also noted that media coverage of the protests has become more sympathetic.
The group plans to continue organizing demonstrations, believing that local residents must drive change to address the problems caused by overtourism. However, some industry leaders argue that effective solutions will require collaboration between governments, residents, and the tourism industry.
