In response to the growing issue of overtourism, citizens in various European countries are starting to take action. Recently, protests took place in Barcelona and Mallorca, Spain, where demonstrators expressed their frustrations over the influx of travelers. Participants carried signs with messages like “One more tourist, one resident” and “Tourists are going home,” calling for a revamping of the local economy.
Andreu Martinez, a local resident, humorously suggested that perhaps using water guns might serve as a playful way to push tourists away. He reflected on how Barcelona has apparently been “handed over to tourists,” emphasizing the need for residents to reclaim their city.
Martinez added that his rent has soared by over 30%, and it’s become increasingly common for apartments in his neighborhood to be leased out for short stays. “Our lives as longtime residents of Barcelona are coming to an end,” he stated. “We’re being systematically pushed out.”
Moreover, Martinez noted that many traditional shops have been replaced with businesses catering to tourists, like souvenir stores and fast-food outlets. In a recent move, the Spanish government instructed Airbnb to remove roughly 66,000 vacation rentals that did not comply with local regulations.
Jaime Rodríguez De Santiago, who heads Airbnb’s operations in Spain and Portugal, defended the platform, claiming it isn’t solely responsible for overtourism. “I think many of our politicians have found simple scapegoats over the last couple of decades,” he argued, suggesting the real issues lie in policy efficiency related to housing and tourism.
Barcelona officials have proposed a temporary ban on tourist apartment rentals by 2028, as current statistics suggest that the number of short-term rentals has stagnated at around 10,000 since 2014. According to data, there are about 850,000 homes in the city, making those short-term rentals a relatively small portion.
Other popular European destinations, including Venice, Italy, and Lisbon, Portugal, are also experiencing similar protests. Greek officials have announced plans to introduce a tax on visitors, while Venice initiated a pilot program to charge an admission fee, which they might consider doubling in the future. Overall, the struggle against overtourism is gaining momentum across Europe.
