BTN News: More than 150 groups and social movements protested in Barcelona. They closed some hotels and restaurant terraces to show their anger about too many tourists. This protest is part of a series that has also taken place in the Canary Islands and Mallorca. On Saturday night, about 3,000 people marched in Barcelona, asking for big changes in tourism policies.
Protesters Demand Immediate Action to Curb the Number of Tourists in Barcelona
The streets of Barcelona were full of people shouting “tourists, go home.” They want quick actions to control the number of visitors. The protesters also closed some hotels and restaurant terraces as a symbol of their frustration. Experts say this summer will bring a record number of tourists to Barcelona and Catalonia. Locals are worried this will make things worse.
Martà Cusó, from the Association of Neighbors of the Gothic Quarter, said, “We want the city’s economy to focus on fairer ways. To do this, we must reduce tourism.” Many residents agree with Cusó. They feel their city’s identity and quality of life are being hurt by too many tourists.
Barcelona Faces Challenges Due to Overcrowding From Tourism
Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain. Every year, about 32 million tourists come, many by cruise ships. The local government is trying to handle these problems. Recently, they decided to raise the tourist tax to 4 euros per person starting in October. This is to help lessen the bad effects of too many tourists.
A local resident shared his worries, “Tourism and speculation are hurting housing. Spaniards need decent homes.” This shows a big problem in Barcelona. Tourism makes housing prices go up, so it’s hard for locals to afford places to live.
Radical New Plan to Remove Tourist Apartments in Barcelona
Barcelona’s city council has a new plan to help with the housing crisis. They will remove about 10,000 licenses for tourist apartments in the next five years. They want to give priority to residential homes over tourist rentals. Many cities around the world are doing similar things to fight the bad effects of too many tourists.
This plan is very important for one of Europe’s most visited cities. By reducing tourist apartments, the city hopes to make housing cheaper and more available for locals. This will help keep the culture and social life of neighborhoods that have changed a lot due to short-term rentals.
The Future of Tourism in Barcelona and Steps to Achieve Balance
The protests and new city measures show a big change in how Barcelona manages tourism. As the city gets ready for another busy tourist season, these actions might set an example for other tourist-heavy cities. The local government and community are working hard to find a fair balance.
To sum up, Barcelona’s fight against too much tourism is like what many popular places face. The city’s residents want a tourism model that is fair and sustainable. They want respect for their rights and a good quality of life. Raising tourist taxes and cutting the number of tourist apartments are big steps forward. But the work is not done. The goal is to find a better balance between tourists and locals in Barcelona.
