Behind Barcelona's fight against overtourism | DW News

Barcelona attracts millions of tourists every year. Hotel prices are rising and thousands of apartments are only rented to tourists. The city is trying to counteract this. But the America‘s Cup is likely to only make the city even more attractive.

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[vinceb]

I just saw footage of residents harassing random (suspected) tourists in a cafe, and living in a highly touristic area myself, I must say that I am appalled. We have our problems with overtourism but never in my life would I think that we'd collectively go after unsuspecting people. Truly a shameful scene to watch.

[alfredhitchcock]

This is the same country that complained of lack of tourists during Pandemic

[GutterFlower-tu]

So far this summer there’s been 3 music festivals, F1 tournament and other major events. Why host them if you don’t want tourists?

[pineyi]

Don’t be angry at tourists, be angry at your government for making millions on tourist tax yet do nothing to help the locals.

[davidmaisel]

I love Barcelona. It's a beautiful city. The bigger issue is real estate speculation and lack of affordable housing for Catalonians.

[mtawali]

"Not enough rich people for everyone" I didn't expect to hear such a sentence in my life

[nokaton]

I mean, is it the fault of the tourists who just want to make a visit, or the local authorities who fail miserably to manage the whole situation? Who is responsible for this problem, the tourists or the local gov? Protesting against the tourists instead of the gov makes no sense.

[TStadiumhopper]

Barcelona:
Fight against overtourism ✅
Fight against pickpocket ❌

[noodleppoodle]

They fight overtourism by being rude, offering the worst service anywhere you go. Barcelona you won, you are offering such a bad time I am never coming back

[hfb-ienc]

*I'm from Tunisia and I want to say to tourists you are welcome in my country 💖 we have weather better than the weather in barcelona, we have food better than the food in barcelona and we have beaches better than the beaches in barcelona, Tunisia = 🍝🍽🌞⛱🌊🥂*

[hahn]

Stop using AirBNB and other places meant for residents and get a hotel instead. So glad my city outlawed AirBNB.

[jensonee]

i think i'll just stay home. everywhere that's interesting is crowded and expensive.

[thelonereed]

We welcome tourists in Greece as well every year. But you have to understand that a small country cannot be overwhelmed with 36 million people in just three months. The cost of living for locals is higher now and there’s no gain for us. We have to go on vacation in September even October because of this situation. We want tourism when it’s done responsibly. Enjoy your summer please try to respect all as they would respect you in your country if they visited. ❤

[limeyprat]

I live in a tourism town.

Crowds can be understandable. Short-term rentals make life unaffordable for the local.

It needs to be strictly limited.

[darthyoda]

I am from Amsterdam and we have the same problems. Having said that, let's not forget that Spain was an economic waste basket before it was discovered as a tourist destination. Next to finding a better balance in the flow of tourism they should damn grateful.

[mike]

Tourism is a double edged sword. Good for businesses but bad for local residents. 😁

[KarliandTommytheBoxer]

I don’t understand the aggressive nature towards tourists. Barcelona has been pick pocketing tourists for years and should be responsible for paying tourists back.. but nobody has rioted them. Tourism brings them millions if not billions. They claim the citizens are not benefiting from tourism. That’s the city’s government issue. Not the innocent tourist thinking they’re supporting and enjoying the country they are visiting.

[Bxgent]

I don’t think it’s the tourist fault for wanting to visit a Country. I don’t understand how that has to do with Tourism being the problem instead of government at fault? I’m confuse. You put the blame on tourist because government isn’t listening to you. That’s a government problem not a tourist.

[jerryhorn]

I am a former resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.A. What is happening in Barcelona at this moment is exactly what has been occurring in Fort Lauderdale for the past decade. Local politicians see tourists as an easy source of income for their communities (and their paycheques). These politicians are eager to lure in the multi-millionaires and drive away the lower and middle income residents. In addition, greedy landowners buying up properties and transforming them into short-term Airbnb rental apartments are contributing to the problem. Local greed is the source of the overtourism problem.

[valefranco]

Last month I stayed in Barcelona for 4 days, my staying was 4 days too long! Overcrowded and unsafe!