Demonstrators across major southern European cities rallied against the effects of mass tourism, utilizing creative methods such as squirt guns and suitcases to draw public attention to the issues.
Protests Against Mass Tourism Surge in Southern Europe
Protests Against Mass Tourism Surge in Southern Europe
Activists in Spain, Italy, and Portugal take to the streets to address housing costs and environmental concerns linked to tourism.
On a vibrant Sunday in Barcelona, Spain, the streets echoed with the sounds of protest as thousands rallied against mass tourism, echoing similar events in Italy and Portugal. Activists, armed with squirt guns and wheeling suitcases, took to the pavements to highlight rising housing prices and the environmental impact of increased tourist traffic.
In Genoa, Italy, protesters joined the movement by rolling their suitcases down the narrow, cobbled streets, dubbing their display a “noisy stroll.” Meanwhile, in Lisbon, demonstrators marched from the local church of the city’s patron saint, carrying a handmade effigy to a site planned for a new luxury hotel. On the island of Majorca, locals halted a double-decker tourist bus on Saturday, lighting flares and proudly displaying a banner.
The protests in Barcelona have gained momentum amid an ongoing backlash against overwhelming tourist numbers. Carrying placards demanding “Tourists go home” and “Tourism is stealing from us,” activists marched down the prestigious Golden Mile, easily identifiable by its luxury boutiques and hotels. Water was sprayed towards tourists outside of high-end stores like Louis Vuitton, while scuffles between some protesters and local workers ensued with occasional fireworks being set off until the police intervened near the famed Sagrada Família Basilica.
This wave of protests stems from workshops conducted by the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification, which sought to address the increasing discontent surrounding overtourism. The raised concerns center around quality-of-life degradation, high housing costs, and environmental degradation initiated by mass tourism, issues that activists argue are unmanageable within the current tourism framework.
Joan Mas, a local waiter in Barcelona, articulated the sentiment prevalent among many residents, stating, “The general perception is that these people have way more money than we do — they come here to party, to rent places we can’t afford on our wages. The problem is the tourism model itself: It’s all about serving drinks, about real estate and the hotel industry.”
