Too much of a good thing?

Lately protests against overtourism in Spain (not only in Barcelona, but also on the Canary Islands, Malaga, Mallorca and beyond) have made the headlines in the international press, and as ever, Barcelonans were in the forefront. Some locals even went about squirting tourists with water pistols, suggesting they go back home.

Spain received 94 million foreign visitors in 2024, a 13% rise over 2023. Although crowds fill up the Ramblas night and day, as mega cruise ships disgorge thousands of day trippers, Barcelona. some would say the protestors are biting the hand that feeds them, for the tourism economy contributes a considerable part of the city’s income and supports thousands of jobs. During the Great Recession, the ability to rent out rooms in their homes as Airbnbs kept numerous families afloat.

What people are really furious about is the lack of places to live in their own city. Faced with the worst housing crisis in Europe, rents in Barcelona have risen 80% in the last decade. Squatting is on the rise across Spain, especially in Barcelona.