By Natalia Rueda 
The protests in Barcelona last Saturday, July 6, was a major manifestation of the city’s residents’ frustration with mass tourism. Barcelona has long been a popular destination for visitors, thanks to its stunning architecture, rich cultural attractions and beautiful beaches. However the influx of visitors has brought with it a number of problems that are often overlooked.
One of the main concerns of Barcelona’s inhabitants is the rise in housing prices. The demand for tourist accommodation has led to an increase in rents and housing prices, making it difficult for people on low and middle incomes to find affordable housing. In addition, many properties that were previously available for rent to locals are now used exclusively as vacation rentals, increasing profitability for private landlords.
The Barcelona City Council, aware of the current situation of tourist saturation in the city, has taken the decision not to grant new licenses for tourist use to residential dwellings, which will force these properties to be used as permanent dwellings rather than as vacation rentals.
Imagine traveling to Europe to spend your hard-earned money in their dying economy
— @levelsio (@levelsio) July 7, 2024
And you end up getting sprayed with water guns by angry degrowth protesters pic.twitter.com/HllUVmOGzH
It also calls for respect for tourists who visit the city, remembering that their presence also contributes to the economy and culture of the place. Therefore, it is invited to seek sustainable and balanced solutions for tourism in Barcelona.
As the mayor mentioned through his X account: “We recognize the complexity of this issue and reject simplistic solutions. Our goal is to build a balanced and sustainable tourism model that benefits everyone involved, from tourists to Barcelona residents.”