Spain, known for its rich history, vibrant architecture, and delicious cuisine, ranks as one of the most visited countries in the world. This popularity, however, has significant downsides. Overtourism is rapidly damaging Spanish communities, causing various socioeconomic challenges for locals.
Spain's tourism business has grown significantly in recent decades. Barcelona saw a tremendous change after the 1992 Olympic Games, increasing its global tourist destination profile. According to Joan Miquel Gomis López, a professor at the Open University of Catalonia in Barcelona, the most notable change brought about by the Games was the shift in the visitor profile from primarily work-related trips to vacation visits: in 1990, 1.7 million visitors visited the city for vacation; by the pandemic, this figure had risen to almost 10 million. In 2023, the city had almost 12 million visitors.
Gentrification, defined as the changing of a neighbourhood with an influx of wealthy individuals and investments, displacing its original lower-income inhabitants, is a significant issue related to over-tourism. As more people visit popular neighbourhoods, property owners are incentivised to convert residential apartments into short-term rentals, displacing long-time inhabitants. According to Martí Cusó, a housing advocate in Barcelona, many locals working in tourism cannot afford to reside within the city. This tendency not only affects community cohesion but also leads to rising inequality and social conflicts. “We need to stop spending €80 million a year on promoting the city abroad,” said Cusó. “It’s not just about limiting tourism but also about guaranteeing the rights of the people who live here.”
In response to these rising issues, people across Spain have organised rallies to express their frustration with mass tourism. Recent rallies in Málaga saw between 15,000 and 25,000 people march with chants like "Málaga is not for sale" and "This is not tourism, this is an invasion." Similar protests have taken place in Barcelona, Mallorca, and the Canary Islands, indicating widespread dissatisfaction among residents. Over 80 organisations lead the demonstrations, campaigning for increased regulation of the tourism sector and the implementation of policies that protect locals’ rights.
The Spanish government has, as a result, implemented various legislative initiatives to minimise the harmful effects of overtourism. Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni has committed to ban short-term visitor rentals by 2028. At a Barcelona city council event, Collboni described his decision: "We are confronting what we believe is Barcelona’s largest problem." His idea entails not renewing the 10,101 tourist licences provided to landlords, thereby returning these units to the residential market. Collboni claims that this step will be comparable to creating 10,000 new homes and is required to alleviate the city's housing issue. Other officials have also established policies such as limiting the number of hotel beds and prohibiting new hotels in the historic district. In addition, the city has raised its tourism tax and put a fee on cruise passenger arrivals to help fund local development projects.
These policy actions have, however, been criticised and challenged. Some believe that ideas such as Collboni's are too delayed to give immediate help to individuals who are already priced out of the city. Janet Sanz, a Spanish politician, questioned if it is feasible to wait until 2028 to handle the pressing housing situation.
Spain is not alone in dealing with over-tourism issues. Many other European cities such as Venice, another popular destination, have implemented efforts to regulate the flood of visitors and reduce their impact on local inhabitants. Starting June 2024, Venice will limit tour groups to 25 persons and prohibit loudspeakers throughout the city and its nearby islands. These initiatives attempt to ease congestion of people within the city whilst improving residents' quality of life.
While the influx of tourists in Spain has undeniably increased the economy and global prominence of cities such as Barcelona, it has also created substantial social and economic challenges for locals. Despite the Spanish government's efforts to address these issues through legislation and increased regulation, there are doubts regarding their timing and effectiveness. Ultimately, the challenge is to develop sustainable tourism strategies that benefit both visitors and inhabitants. This includes not just controlling the quantity of tourists, but also ensuring that tourism benefits the local economy and community. As Spain navigates these problems, the experiences of its cities might provide valuable insights into creating a harmonious relationship between tourism and local life.
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