Monday, July 8, 2024 In Spain, a recent anti-tourism movement has seen local protesters on the mainland, particularly in Barcelona, directing hostility towards UK tourists and urging them to leave. During a march, protesters equipped with water pistols targeted these tourists. Approximately 2,800 people marched through Barcelona’s waterfront district, loudly expressing their frustrations with shouts of “Enough!” “Let’s put limits on tourism,” and playfully spraying water guns at holidaymakers.
This latest protest reflects growing local frustrations with the negative impacts of tourism on housing and the economy, leading to temporary closures of some areas during the event. In a related development, the Barcelona city council, led by Mayor Collboni, has taken steps to mitigate the adverse effects of mass tourism by recently prohibiting the rental of tourist apartments. This decision aligns with the city’s struggle to manage the influx of roughly 12 million visitors each year.
Barcelona remains a prime destination for UK tourists, along with other favored spots like the Canary Islands—including Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria—and the Balearic Islands, where Menorca, Ibiza, and Majorca are particularly popular..