Behind Barcelona's fight against overtourism | DW News

[@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.

[@Joe-cb6ex]

Nah, we can be angry at both. And the businesses that run the tourist industry, as well.

[@SmokyOle]

​@@Joe-cb6exGovernment is by far the bigger issue. Don't blame people for wanting to go to the beach one week of the year they don't have to work.

[@Joe-cb6ex]

@@SmokyOle If you, as a tourist, are aware of the issue, as many are, you’re also to blame. I understand many are ignorant of it, but many aren’t, and simply don’t care

[@kindlyignore]

@@Joe-cb6exdude. No one is aware of problems in your country, we are barely aware of all the problems in our own countries. People work hard and treat themselves to a few days away somewhere warm. That’s it! You think rich people go to Barcelona and stay in Airbnbs? Talk about useless anger.

[@Joe-cb6ex]

@@kindlyignore Your ignorance isn’t my problem. If you’re going to take the time to organize a trip, read up about the place you’re going to.

[@alfredhitchcock45]

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

[@sophiedong7481]

Yeah, they just talk a lot 🙃

[@johnc3525]

Yeah, because the pandemic was then and this is now. Duh.

[@malahammer]

No they didn't.

[@drewbranch7700]

@@sophiedong7481Sophie,they do talk a lot!

[@MP-ir6ic]

We want sustainable tourism, not drunk party people tourism like what we get. It only makes prices go up and creates problems

[@vinceb8041]

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.

[@NoeliaRuiz-ls8yw]

As a spanish myself, I understand the protests but throwing water to tourists who actually are being civic, it's just unnecessary.

[@SmilingNinja]

​@@NoeliaRuiz-ls8yw Exactly! Tourism is a problem, but this is not how to solve it. I'm sure Spanish tourists wouldn't like it if they were sprayed with water when they visit Paris, London, Rome, New York or Amsterdam.

[@Sandro-tp8qt]

​​@@NoeliaRuiz-ls8ywit's plain racist. Catalans are not only nationalists, but even xenophobes (and hypocrites, because I doubt the protesters were never once tourists abroad)

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

@@NoeliaRuiz-ls8yw Yes, I saw that. They were shooting the tourists with water guns. The average tourist has no idea what's going on in Barcelona.

[@briantbmoth6472]

Very rude. No reason for me to visit. I don’t want to speak Spanish anyway.

[@GutterFlower-t2u]

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?

[@mimimi3440]

So true !!!!!

[@GutterFlower-t2u]

@@mimimi3440the whole thing is just not adding up…

[@carolinaaguilar4038]

Music festivals aren't just for tourists you know...they are for the residents

[@julianfernando19]

Eles não querem turistas pobres.

[@delta_glider4362]

@@julianfernando19 They don't want to serve to rich tourists either. They just want to collect money.

[@davidmaisel8062]

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

[@nunyabidness3075]

So, basically, you’re being racist and marxist and thinking you are being virtuous? Really? I know this sounds mean, but hopefully it snaps you out of your thinking. I don’t know your city well, but I know many others. Your government is likely causing most of your problems, and doing it because the people approve without connecting the policies with the results. Too many Airbnb’s are a result of too much tax and regulation on hospitality businesses. Too much tourism is often a result of too much spending and subsidies on tourism. Unaffordable housing means you likely have too many housing regulations, zoning, subsidy for ownership, etc. I’m afraid the USA has been letting everyone down. We are supposed to be an example of freedom and equality and free markets, but for over a century, we’ve been slowly turning into a mixed economy with a huge central government. We’ve been living off advantages from after WW2 for decades, so we’ve been faking it all.

[@ghosthdel3098]

You cant have both. Humans are greedy, unless you/ your family or friends are affected you will not care wether you are the politicians or an indepenent landlord. If you have money it is good, you can create life with money and you cn also end lives with money - it is the best ever instruments created by humans. Do yoou like money?

[@davidmaisel8062]

@@ghosthdel3098 I don't like not having money but I could live with having to stay in a hotel on vacation. Probably, most people could live with that too. It's a far better option than being hated by the people who live in the place I love to visit.

[@jpg6113]

Don't forget African crime and rape which really is a problem in all of Europe

[@richatlarge462]

@@jpg6113 But in Barcelona you also get pickpocketing by "the Romani people" lol.

[@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.

[@daikucoffee5316]

They probably expect the government to act on their behalf but the money from tourism convinces them otherwise

[@nokaton]

@@daikucoffee5316 Still makes no sense to project the anger towards the tourists instead of the gov itself.

[@GTA5Player1]

Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I mean, there's a reason that old guy kept repeating: "It's complicated"

[@delta_glider4362]

@@nokaton>Still makes no sense to project the anger towards the tourists instead of the gov itself. It's easier and much safer (and requare no actual work on the problem). 🤐

[@trartalacrem]

And In Barcelona there is a huge structural problem with "immobiliarias", real mafias, that own too much houses and ground and speculate. Tourists are just the top of the iceberg.

[@TStadiumhopper]

Barcelona: Fight against overtourism ✅ Fight against pickpocket ❌

[@leoni7649]

pickpickets are there for turists, so reducing one will reduce the other too (partially).

[@gargoyle7863]

Pickpocketing is fighting against tourism. 🤣

[@felipepipi1780]

@@gargoyle7863 more pickpocket please

[@jgp1294]

US: Fighting against women’s right to choose ✅ Fighting against guns killing children ❌

[@Fiorellandia]

Barcelona is fighting neither.

[@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

[@Adam-nw1vy]

Nothing worse than giving money to someone who treats you like ish.

[@patrickokeeffe539]

Yes went there to meet a family member. We were both in Spain and Barcelona was a half way point. We couldn’t wait to leave.

[@MrCanalon]

Tell your family and friends please!

[@patrickokeeffe539]

@@seansean2929 Do not worry, you just just have to visited once to know it is a very unwelcoming place.

[@carolinaaguilar4038]

Great please stay away

[@mtawali13]

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

[@eliotness4029]

"Not enough rich people for everyone" wasting money on each step

[@Gruffydom]

Not enough rich husbands for women either.

[@eliotness4029]

@@Gruffydom Not enough rich husbands for each and every women in Spain

[@ANTheWhizkid]

That’s not what he said. You completely misunderstood it.

[@Haderva]

If everyone was rich overcrowding would not be a problem due to being able to afford better options.

[@hahn310]

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

[@AyaaAcademia]

also at this point, with AirBNB prices being as high or even higher than hotel + the need to do chores, it makes no sense to opt for them over a full-service hotel tbh

[@bp8220]

@@AyaaAcademia I'll use it on off cases, like if its a spare room in a flat with someone who owns it or belonging to a local who meets you there and doesn't have 50+ other properties. Also for high price locations like Nice France, where hotels charge a lot just because they can due to the prestige of it and not be of that actual value. Not paying $2000 for a week for a shoebox and 25$ for eggs and a croissant in the morning when I can get a whole apartment for half that with kitchenette and washer and basically just don't leave a mess and take out the trash at the end of the week? An Airbnb owner individually isn't the problem, but corporate owners with dozens or hundreds of properties in one city, Foreign investors that own luxury condos that stay empty just as a means to own an asset they can leverage against to borrow more money and buy more assets, and also sprinkle in a little zoning bureaucracy.

[@TonyYayo-vz9ri]

Nah imma keep using it, stay mad brokie 🤡

[@GTA5Player1]

How about no?

[@delta_glider4362]

@@AyaaAcademia it still make sence if hotels are all booked off or too far away from point you want. 🤷‍♀

[@Bxgent1988]

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.

[@Joe-cb6ex]

They’re both at fault, especially of the tourists know they’re causing a problem.

[@RipperGand]

Both are a problem in Barcelona. The government doesn't bother to handle tourism because they live uptown in expensive, quiet neighbourhoods and it doesn't directly affect them. However, there's a new type of tourist - the low budget tourist - that revolves around low-middle income people who use budget airlines and hostels to travel around. This type of tourist, with little to no investment capability, will also bring about rowdy behavior, no travel etiquette and no consideration for the locals, ruining whole quarters and plazas with litter, waste and bringing a terrible ambience to otherwise romantic and quiet places. That's why they mention "wealthy tourists" in the video, referring to people with a larger capability to invest, more discrete, often sticking to their resorts, hotels, private boats or shying away from airbnb's or short-term rentals. It's also NOT the type of tourist who will go on a pub crawl, throw cans at cars, harrass local women/men, urinate in some old granny's porch, etc., which is what Barcelona has by the thousands. I did a research project at Universitat de Barcelona and even I, who was not a local, had trouble with the tourists. It's infernal.

[@Joe-cb6ex]

@@RipperGandMuy buen análisis. Raramente se hace esta diferencia. Pero hay que reconocer que el turista rico tb es peligroso si viene para especular con la vivienda, cosa muy común en ciudades costeras

[@yveeriksson7437]

There were a lot of whining during covid because there were no tourists. Cafés, restaurants etc went bankrupt. They demanded the borders to open, so the money/tourist would come back. Now? Just send us your money, but stay away. Right? Don't blame the tourists when it's the local police and politicians who needs to step up.

[@Joe-cb6ex]

Businesses dependent on tourism bitched and moaned when there weren’t tourists. The locals didn’t. We were happy. We were glad to see the streets so quiet.

[@NomadicIslanders]

@@davidbekhsyea the locals are usually happy while the country to literally going broke. Then they will be mad that there is no money for government funded things. You can’t have them both. You can’t have zero tourism but still expect your country to have the influx of money to fund your healthcare and subsidize your industries so prices on things like groceries can be affordable for you.

[@Fiorellandia]

I blame the tourist for how they behave.

[@danigonzalez4299]

From bar owners

[@danigonzalez4299]

​@@misschicka2831spa what?

[@hfb-ie7nc]

*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 = 🍝🍽🌞⛱🌊🥂*

[@gloriaterry333]

Thank you! ❤

[@johnobrien9971]

I'm off to Tunisia

[@sydneymcmillian]

That is where my mom is from🙏🏼

[@MaryHuguin1]

Lo que más me impresionó de Túnez fue su maltrato animal, animales por todas partes con hambre, delgados y abandonados por el gobierno y por la cultura…

[@daniel_913]

Barcelona is a dump. Anywhere where mass tourism exists is a place to avoid. Those places are dumps.

[@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.

[@professionaltaxevader4638]

True, also it strips national life from the streets. Cafes for locals become brunches for tourists and any utility shop disappears.

[@eldebtor6973]

move

[@dx-ek4vr]

With how many stories I'm hearing of places getting overtouristed, it seems like the only places that are _not_ getting too many tourists are literal warzones

[@richatlarge462]

That's correct. All the local government needs to do is limit the private short-term rentals to non-citizens, and the rest will take care of itself, in terms of a local market rate for housing.

[@sherriem9594]

Yeah, so protest the government and make your issue clear against rich people purchasing properties for short term rentals. Harassing the tourists is assanine. You don't want to stop tourism, these protests could have a knock on affect on local businesses and hotel occupancy. The hostility from what is being shown seems misdirected in my opinion.

[@jensonee]

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

[@hristohristov3026]

⁠@@hlvr123yes, and also not interesting

[@GTA5Player1]

Even when travelling to popular destinations, you can always follow certain tips to avoid the worst crowds!

[@TimKhalikov]

@@hristohristov3026well if interesting for you means famous monuments and instagrammable locations, then probably. But if you are interested in local cultures, food, architecture, nature or just exploring local routine life that is different from yours, then this world still has a lot to offer.

[@8XSaintX8]

And yet people complain about the economy

[@TimKhalikov]

Good choice. Let others enjoy themselves in nice uncrowded locations

[@thelonereed2765]

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. ❤

[@thelonereed2765]

@@misschicka2831 I see your point here. My comments aim was to send the message to the tourists that they can visit here even in May/ early June/ late September even October. Greece’s rising temperatures are a perfect opportunity for them to enjoy the sea and the sun plus lower prices in air and accommodation. This way they won’t all come here in July and August cause issues, overpay and pass out in the mountains while trekking. Since our government is greedy we the locals are trying to give out this message to the tourists. This way we all win. Happy summer. Visit Greece. I’ll take my holidays in Crete in October beautiful beaches.

[@mike8055]

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

[@johnc3525]

That's why a balance is needed. The problem isn't tourism, it's over-tourism.

[@JR-rf9sq]

The type of tourists that come also make a big difference though (I don’t necessarily mean rich or poor), more like… the archetype.

[@GekkoV]

La sobreexplotacion de algo es siempre mala. Subid los precios y se autoregulara por si solo.

[@EnglishwithJoe]

yeah bad for local residents who work in the service industry, er hey?!?!

[@P4293]

So you're protesting and attacking tourists but a huge amount of spanish students are going all over Europe for jobs? Maybe we should restrict that too...

[@darthyoda216]

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.

[@killer41756]

Its economy is 10% tourism

[@darthyoda216]

@@killer41756 Sweety, I am talking 50 years ago. You know? When guest laborers from Spain, Italy, Greece and North Africa came North to work because they had no economical prospect in their own country? And let’s not forget Spain was allowed to develop thanks to EU money…. Forget that 10%

[@jerryhorn4697]

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.

[@valefranco8907]

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

[@PHlophe]

Honey, you just had anxiety and that is on ya. Take a few pills it'll pass. Dont blame tourists , if you advertise goods people will flock to it . I am fine em Barcelona.

[@danigonzalez4299]

Yep dont come!

[@IamNotanumber-z3j]

Also horrific rude locals .

[@PHlophe]

Dani El bandit ! you guys need tourism Pesetas

[@danigonzalez4299]

Not really ​@@PHlophe

[@carolinaaguilar4038]

The residents are not the problem. The problem is that people who come to this city dont respect it. Pissing on the streets, shouting at 4 am, leaving trash on the beaches, i live here and its unbearable. And i have lived in London and Amsterdam and never felt the suffocation i do here from the tourism. Its horrible. Sick of the bachelor parties, people literally act like they just got out of prison when they come here.

[@nir4a]

People pee on the streets mostly because lack of sufficient number of free public toilets. Don’t spit into the well you a drinking from. Tourism is the bread and butter of Barcelona

[@coriolan1963]

What a sad situation! My mother had her apartment in Tres Torres, so she never felt that problem, but that area has become horribly expensive now.

[@RyrienaHoustonBorn]

What’s sad is my mom would have yelled at me if we didn’t respect someone’s else’s home or city like we do ours. She was like god made us to look after every part of this earth not just one place that means don’t litter etc. Be grateful that you’re here in a place like Barcelona and keep it like it is for others to enjoy.

[@synthopia2]

I felt the same in Amsterdam and guilty being another tourist no matter how behaved.

[@GTA5Player1]

Okay, so if u don't do those obviously problematic things, I'm Gucci. Good to know!

[@presbiteroo]

I was pushed out of my country, Portugal, because of tourism. I totally get them. I just couldn't afford the housing market anymore as a doctorate student. They treat tourists better than the locals, I'm not going back.

[@75THRANGER1]

Sounds like you need a better degree

[@tomadevil1]

It is not the problem of Portugal only. Austria is overwhelmed with tourists too. The prices are like in Switzerland, salaries are low

[@RichardUpstanding]

Tourism is the distraction that governments use to hide their shortcomings. In most of these countries the issue is lack of housing and infrastructure for the local population, but by blaming the tourists the government can avoid blame. Unfortunately in the long term that will also mean less income and jobs for local people if tourism slows.

[@marcialabrahantes3369]

​that is the entire west if you don't have a specialized STEM degree it seems :( ​@@tomadevil1

[@RELENTLESS305-s3k]

Most ppl in euro make 1500 a month ppl aunt got no money in Europe ​@@tomstarwalker

[@Karli4Sure]

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.

[@MickyAvStickyHands]

If you've ever been to the tourist zones of Barcelona, you too will be surprised that they found so many people for this video who actually speak Spanish.

[@gord7341]

If Spain still has an official tourism website or marketing campaign encouraging people to come, it's Spain's fault, not the tourists.

[@normanphotos8451]

Sorry, you guys need to the caribbean in barbados or antigua if you want beautiful beaches with blue clear water... The beach in this video looks awful in comparison.

[@김일성종합대학-m6v]

the money from the tourists should be distributed to the locals

[@ryss1]

How is it not :DD

[@delta_glider4362]

Usually tourist's attraction points on federal budget. So do locals would pay full price for it maitance and repair too then?

[@LLANTALOBOTOMIK]

Communist?

[@SurfLouco]

If a local has an airbnb, it goes to the local. If a local has a restaurant, it goes to the local. If a local makes experiences related to tourism (Sightseeing, photography, surf lessons), it goes to the local. Stop being a cry baby and go do something to make money, don't expect the government to give it to you. This is the problem with "European" mentality. The state is the daddy, everybody looking for a handout.

[@felipepipi1780]

@@ryss1 It just doesn't. Tourism benefits only a sector of a society. I live in a city that has been hostage of European tourism for almost two decades now. It is just terrible to live here. The only happy locals are those who own restaurants and airbnbs, and many of those are even locals or nationals.

[@theotang681]

pick pockets heaven. beware. do not leave your bag open.

[@Chris-xn6jn]

I get why the Catalonians are angry with so many people. On the flip side if Barcelona stopped tourism the city would lose €9.8b a year.

[@citroniron8861]

The government needs to restrict/ban Airbnbs and regulate tourism. It's not the fault of the tourists.

[@Trackandshield]

People needs to show their disapproval in some sort. You can't expect tourist to know that they're not welcome, when all they see is "beautiful Barcelona" ads. Any tourist with self respect won't visit Barcelona if they knew that they weren't welcome.

[@risinbison1106]

I visit Europe in the winter, never had to wait in line. I want a beach, I go to Florida.

[@AbraXas-bi9ux]

winter is high season only in the alps and partially in the nordics..try it out in sommer and you will experience a different drama

[@75THRANGER1]

Or you can visit less touristy places… turkey, is a prime example 😊

[@wilsan806]

​@@75THRANGER1 Istanbul and Ismir are both quite packed with tourists. Can't speak for other places, but I would imagine the capital was as well.

[@risinbison1106]

@@75THRANGER1 I’ve been to Turkey, amazing country! Istanbul, the ancient cites and the food, all a lifetime memory that I highly recommend. It’s hard to find places anymore that don’t have high tourist populations which is why I try to visit in the off months.

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

Southern Europe as a WHOLE got beach lenghts like 20 Floridas dude. 😂😂😂😂😂 Literally ALL kinds of beaches exist in southern Europe. Sandy, rocky, beaches, long beaches, short beaches, famous beaches with a lot of people, less famous beaches with plenty of room, etc. Just avoid the hot spots and you will find fantastic half empty beach in southern Europe in no time at all. Southern Europe is 200 million people with a HUGE and VERY diverse coastline. Dumb for any European to go to Florida instead of the southern Europe. The trip alone is expensive. For others i don't know. Maybe it's better for Americans. For Europeans certainly NOT.

[@ajaxfilms]

Many of these AirBNB's and the like are not owned by individuals, it is real estate companies buying whole floors and whole building and renting them out only to tourists at high prices. I understand the frustration. If you live in a city and work there, yet you can not afford (or even find) a long term apt. because they are all rented short term at high prices you get upset. It's fine to pay those prices for a short term stay but not to live at those prices.

[@thevaultdwellergaming]

Seems like a simple solution would be to control how many people are allowed to visit

[@sstills951]

Oh wow that is a simple solution. You know what? You're a smart person.

[@Nadia-kj9kt]

Why are you going to there where local people are not hospitable and not happy to meet you? There are many other places where you are welcome.

[@AlexWestLondon24]

Try this one instead: Why are you travelling to Barcelona, where locals are not welcoming and not happy to see you? There are many other places like Amsterdam, Venice, Paris, New York, Firenze, Roma, Madrid and many many others, all of them with the same problem, and you’ll not be welcome either…😎

[@sstills951]

@@AlexWestLondon24 Yeah I think you just reiterated what they just said.

[@AlexWestLondon24]

@@sstills951 Not at all, just the opposite…😉

[@MyFluffyClouds]

The home office should advise British people to avoid Spain for safety reasons. It is not safe there.

[@anastasiaisolani6333]

i understand our spanish brothers and sisters. I'm italian, i'm from the city of Pisa... that alone would make you understand how many tourists we have because of the leaning tower. Pisa,florence,rome.... they feel more like museum cities to attract tourists than real livable city anymore. Anything and everything for money rather than thinking about the locals. Visiting florence as a local is a nightmare.

[@LonelyParticle231]

So that justifies the Catalonians going to random tourists at cafes and harrassing them, intimidating them, and physically assaulting them? If you people have that much of a problem, then take it up with your governments, not the local tourist.

[@LamineYamali]

As always DW is helping to misunderstand and create confrontation. The problem is again the government, not tourists. Companies that allows to use residential flats as tourist accommodation. The space of a city for tourists shall be the places as they can offer in hotels. Companies that own thousands of buildings around the city is what you listen mixing the news and creating confusion about what the problem is. They do not care about the absurd prices for renting.

[@cance7984]

My heart aches for Spain. Imagine how they'll handle this issue by 2030, when *EVEN MORE* foreigners will be traveling.

[@williamtell5365]

One day, no tourists will be there. And the city will be poorer from it.

[@bvbxiong5791]

yup. be careful what you wish for.

[@siarnaqfrost4968]

they can't have the cake and eat it too. money is money. if they want it, sacrifices must be made.

[@carolinaaguilar4038]

The city will be just fine.

[@carolinaaguilar4038]

​@siarnaqfrost4968 sorry but I won't sacrifice my city by allowing people to come here and treat it like a garbage disposal

[@berlinerjung5304]

same happened to Mallorca

[@dewanggaaramada9535]

This also happen in Bali

[@OMGz1122]

yea I immediately crossed off visiting Bali once i saw models and influencers populating.

[@TheAlmightyClipse]

An Aussie bogan's paradise

[@dewanggaaramada9535]

@TheAlmightyClipse right now the problem not just Aussie. Russian, Ukrainian Arab and Indian also make problems. Especially Russian

[@iverwa]

Visiting Barcelona and other awesome cities around 30 Years a go my favored lodging was local pensionas driven by locals and eating in local tavernas with a distinct local flavor. Now property investors and food chains have squeezed out the locals, depriving them of the benefits and leaving them with even more downsides. No wonder people get fed up.

[@teeconsigliano7631]

same in Hawaii and Venice. they advertise to get tourists and want tourist $ but treat the tourists like outcasts while they're visiting. build a stronger economy outside of tourism. otherwise stop taking it out on tourists while you're taking their money

[@sstills951]

"outcasts"? I think there's another word that Hawaiians and Venetians would use for tourists.

[@teeconsigliano7631]

@sstills951 yes and if i use that word my comment will be deleted

[@caravanlifenz]

We have a lot of problems with tourists in New Zealand. You'll often see people holding up signs like this protesting against tourism. The hotel chains get rich off tourists and that means more money for wealthy foreign families like the Hiltons, but New Zealanders make minimum wage serving food and drinks and so the people here struggle to pay their rent. As housing is used for AirBnbs and tourist accommodation, our living costs are so high here now. We have extreme disparity between rich and poor now.

[@PHlophe]

You meant to say the money stays in Pakeha hands and indigenous Maoris NZ are seeing a red cent . This is the real tea. If you've got to speak on it then go all the way in mate

[@sstills951]

I'm sorry to hear that. New Zealand was on my bucket list. However I am not a big traveler and when I do travel, I prefer to stay away from touristy places so maybe I wouldn't contribute to the problem you speak of.

[@jlivb]

Blame yall government

[@Gibbsong1]

Well presented, NZ friend. In the US, the saying goes “you get more bees with honey than vinegar” - I’m far more likely to share your points about NZ with others than those of the protestors in Barcelona who shot diners with squirt guns. Their harassment of others does nothing to encourage others to be on their side IMO, whereas matter of fact, non-confrontational approaches such as yours allows people the space to listen and maybe even learn. I’ll add that tourism is still bound to happen to one degree or another. For those cases, it would be awesome to see info at visitor centers about how to tour responsibly…ie best ways to truly support the local economy, including mom and pop businesses (if they welcome it), respect local ecosystems, landmarks, indigenous communities, etc.. Not everyone will care, but some will and that’s worth something in my book.

[@sstills951]

@@Gibbsong1 I think the people of Barcelona make a good case for their annoyance towards tourists. However, as you said, squirting the tourists is no way to go about it. My friend has a cabin up in northern Maine where there is a population still of indigenous people, and they’ve learned that snowmobile, hunting and camping tourism is a great benefit to the local economy. But northern Maine is somewhat untouched by humanity and not taken advantage of by tourism.

[@ryanlijertwood6251]

When you have the theme park effect in countries where by you oversaturate a space, create paywalls to circumvent that overcrowding and then those profits do not trickle down, you know exactly who benefits.

[@sstills951]

My thoughts exactly. If the economics worked out fairly, there wouldn't be a problem.

[@hooooliee90]

Would it be cost effective for Spain (and other countries) to require a visa to travel there and once a certain number of visas are reached, that's it. No more tourists for that time period? Same thing goes for the short term rental permits. Or would it be too complicated to manage a system like this?

[@AlfonsoAndrade-u2q]

I came to Barcelona twenty years ago, and the service at the time was awful I promised never returning and see that awful attitude is still there

[@lailaplaysdbd4004]

Wow I was planning to study abroad in Barcelona this upcoming December, but I guess not anymore. 👀

[@criticallard2090]

Spain was already not high on my list of countries to visit. This makes me feel unwelcome, so I'll be staying away from Spain.

[@rebeccabee4273]

Exactly, I love traveling (off season though) and Barcelona looks nice but it's never really been on my list to visit 🤷🏻‍♀️ And after this video, I may not want to annoy the locals by visiting 😅

[@gregap8282]

I have this friend, he travels a lot for work and he went to Barcelona. He said the locals are extremely rude, some of the worst he has experienced in his travels. I think people should just stop going to those places so they can drown in their own misery. I want to see them crying later because the economy is bad.

[@danigonzalez4299]

Yes please don't come

[@gregap8282]

@@danigonzalez4299 exactly, plus there are better places to see in the world.

[@barbaras5874]

​@@gregap8282 much much better places, the world is huge. Let's forget the horrible people who live in Spain and concentrate on amazing places.

[@joseantoniodepilares6509]

The problem is cheap tourism for everybody. AirB&Bs and cheap flights have made tourism a massed problem. People go on holiday more often as it is more affordable. But they dont go to small towns, mountainplaces or the such. They all go to big cities. To places less than an hour from the airport, and olaces with the potencial for many apts. And that is killing places like Barcelona or Lisbon.

[@danigonzalez4299]

Totally true

[@mr.chocolate3721]

In short they prefer rich tourists not the regular ones 😂

[@brunos7995]

As an local in country which is suffering from over tourism i'll just say... Tourism is the becoming the Cancer of modern society for affected Countries. We can't buy houses, eating out became way too expensive, and even take a relaxed walk anywhere became impossible, and guess what, before Tourism we could. Tourism also, mostly just benefits the big Hotel chains and some restaurants.

[@tokushow]

The big issue is regulation according to the needs of the local population, in order to accommodate locals and tourists without invading space of each other.

[@danigonzalez4299]

Thanks for understanding

[@The_Joker_420]

Then limit who can come in like no more then 2 million tourists a year

[@Jaylio]

Visit a country which actually welcomes you. Barcelona was a bad experience I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone

[@Chris-rf6xj]

Just to be sure.. Barcelona is a city, not a country👍

[@fergal2424]

Barcelona is a city not the entire country of Spain. And tourists no very little of the actual nice things Barcelona offers, just the trash aimed at the tourists themselves who waddle up Las Ramblas and stupidly gaze at La Sagrada Familia while getting robbed.

[@patrickokeeffe539]

@@Jaylio I live in Spain, so usually holiday there. Barcelona is the only place so far I will not be returning. So happy to see the locals, do not want me back too, so i will be happy to oblige. Highly recommend Malaga, in fact the whole south of Spain.

[@carolinaaguilar4038]

Yayy stay away please!!!!

[@christianablattner4482]

I understand that the locals are fed up with the problem and that they are within their rights to demand their government to take measures to limit tourism that however is no excuse for the locals to mistreat the visitors. After all the tourism sector remains very important to the Spanish economy as a well as to Barcelona’s economic well being.

[@shantanu.t]

A complex topic indeed! Good luck finding a wise solution Barcelona 🍀 I think you’re on to something.

[@BarcelonaMariaMafia]

I think the city is on drugs

[@jiraiyafo]

Listen when its said and done housing is a problem of supply and demand. Its not a tourist or government issue ppl always get it wrong. Barcelona, London, NYC and do so many other cities are extremely built up and land is extremely limited and alot of people wants to live there hence demand. Thats the clear reason why housing is expensive. TRUTH is it CANT BE FIXED

[@FfblastBlogspot]

Please come to Indonesia o European tourist. We have everything not only Bali island

[@calfencer]

😂. Strange, we were in Barcelona and Valencia before the Americas Cup in 2007 and 2024. That regattas participation is at minimum 100 million dollars for a boat ⛵. We were in Valencia in 2006, a full year before the race and chated with a sailor, a Canadian, and imagine he and his shipmates were spending plenty in the city.

[@sashalivesinengland]

I live in Barcelona, and to be honest I understand why some people want to stop overtourism, sometimes it can be a bit annoying to have all the people in the streets when you are trying to go about your day. But in all honesty, how do you regulate that? I personally love travelling and I like that I can go from Barcelona to any other corner of the world cheaply and conveniently, and I dont want that right to be taken away from me, so I wouldnt do it to other people.

[@KimB10M]

Don't you live in England?

[@sashalivesinengland]

@@KimB10M No I used to, I've been living in Barcelona for the past 2 years now :D

[@MP-ir6ic]

You are part of the problem

[@PHlophe]

@@sashalivesinengland No Papi, le them enjoy the city , off season. its not their fault you Latinos keep advertising this city as Gaudi city con Paella etc.. what i know is that unemployment is insane in barcelona so its a double edge sword.

[@sashalivesinengland]

@@PHlophe wtf you mean latino I'm literally ukrainian and paella comes from valencia?😅

[@nickbailey202]

Barcelona is banning short-term rentals (AirBnB). Of all my travels, Barcelona has been my favorite place in the world, but this change alone will keep me from coming back.

[@danigonzalez4299]

Nice!

[@ph11p3540]

So glad I live in Canada where most of our natural treasures are not over crowded.

[@BluffyMoo]

You're fortunate at the moment due to the large vast open spaces there in Canada unlike large crowded, vibrant, and historical European cities. It's only a matter of time before larger Canadian cities go that route. Toronto and Vancouver these days have changed drastically compared to just a few decades ago due to the huge influx of largely Asian immigrants.

[@arilebon]

A matter of time. Banff, Jasper, Whistler are unbearable due to the volume of tourists. Locals are priced out.

[@SportNut1]

Wait till you come to Ontario. I can't believe what happened here

[@nekola203]

I'm a photographer in Toronto. The number of visitors to places in and around Ontario recently has turned these beautiful and once quaint places into crowded mess.

[@ph11p3540]

@@nekola203 I live in Alberta, Everything is really spread out. Even Banff has few issues

[@hania_pl8749]

Overtourism is troublesome, but the money remains, otherwise empty cities and poor villages remain, and the richest buy everything for next to nothing, the idea is to make the country poorer, tourism fills the regional coffers, and this bothers the millionaires, they want to own countries, cities and villages.

[@mango4064]

Ah… blame the tourists NOT the government.

[@dombam8490]

I want to see this same energy against illegal immigration

[@versguversgu8]

Which is happening

[@tullypoo]

Everyone I know that has visited Barcelona was robbed or mugged, including myself. . Barcelona is lucky to have any tourist. Awful city.

[@kristofkozari9040]

I've visited multiple times and never happened anything like that with me...

[@danigonzalez4299]

Aweful you

[@rebeccabee4273]

You would think tourism would be a good thing for any city 🤷🏻‍♀️ (Barcelona looks very nice, unfortunately I have never had the privilege to visit, I don't know much about this city)

[@hikingviking859]

Tourism is the least of their concerns. I visited Barcelona last year.

[@Mkaela90]

I did study abroad last year in Barcelona and I loved it .

[@dudermcdudeface3674]

Best approaches for tourism caps are three-fold: Auctioned permits, granted permits, and lottery permits. Auctioned permits pay the extra costs, granted permits keep attracting good people, and lottery permits let average people get their fair share.

[@HKspurs10]

They can do that for the canary islands but hard to implement for mainland cities like Barcelona. I would say a better way is a blanket goods and services tax. Then have a universal basic income scheme for poorer households

[@GTA5Player1]

What kind of permits? Permits to who?

[@dudermcdudeface3674]

@@GTA5Player1 Rooms? City attractions?

[@GTA5Player1]

@@dudermcdudeface3674 So you would tell hotels and site operators how many people they're allowed to let in? That's just annoying...

[@dudermcdudeface3674]

@@GTA5Player1 You already do. It's called fire codes.

[@gigachad_6862]

Every one loves over tourism Govt hotel restaurant industry ppl employed in tourism, ppl who invest in real estate there. But but ... When u r working class local living there with your family then it is difficult. Tourists often mistake local women as prostitutes and offend them by asking " how much". Food rent become expensive for 90% of total population of that area. More litter on streets, more criminals prostitution, more drugs, more pickpockets. Streets, busses, trains become flooded with foreigners. Ppl started feel suffocation. Not to mention rise of pollution in that area too.

[@felipepipi1780]

Please let's not forget to condemn Ryanair.

[@johnc3525]

True. And overpopulation.

[@danigonzalez4299]

Yep that's where all begun

[@Sandro-tp8qt]

Let's not forget the existence of humans daring to want to visit other countries

[@lordofthefly]

From a country that was colonized by Spain, it’s ironically very hard to get Spanish “tourists” out.

[@ZebuAlpha]

In 3rd world countries, locals want tourism for job creation. Here we have "Over-tourism" so they want a cut on it. This world we live in is indeed a strange place and human nature is even weirder NEVER SATISFIED, NEVER HAPPY :D

[@marcialabrahantes3369]

go to Polynesia to be happy The issue is that unhappy people always have the best weapons due to anxiety...

[@felipepipi1780]

It is only strange because there is no balance and coherence in people. It is not about canceling completely, but find a health balance where every party can benefit equally or with some sense of justice. That's never the case in this planet. Only greedy people advocating for their own economy, not others.

[@pradeepshetty9269]

Bhutan does a good job to control over tourism.

[@ruleoflawkorea]

now i get why there are so many pickpocketers. to fight against the overtourism! brilliant!

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

Over tourism is happening around the world.... It's a good thing Spain is never on my bucket list, I love the rest of the Mediterranean and visited Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, Morocco many times in each country

[@solangelauthier2381]

80% of the tourists who go to Barcelona have no knowledge of architecture and Gaudi’s work. For them it is a kind of Disneyland…

[@RurbanWalker]

So, this is basically a protest by rich locals whose incomes don't depend on tourism and wish it to be less crowded. Meanwhile, the poorer locals working in the service industry while the idle rich protest will lose jobs as a result of all this.

[@duvine3882]

Global turism with shared housing apps increased locals rents leaving them to leave, sad!.

[@margaux_mee__mee]

Same thing here in Kyoto😬

[@fvanced]

So they can be tourists in other countries but other countries cant be tourist in their country? How about close your border so no tourist can come in but also close the border for their citizens to be tourist in other country.

[@houssem.khaled]

I live and work in Barcelona, people here are NOT against tourism but want to stop OVER-tourism. They want sustainable and cultural tourism vs cheap and mass tourism that is destroying beaches, turning neighborhoods into a giant open air party, and pushing rent prices up so much people are being forced out of the neighborhoods they were born and grew up in...

[@carolinaaguilar4038]

The problem is that the tourists that come here do not respect the city. Pissing on the streets, litering beaches, shouting at 4am ..its literally non stop.

[@bp8220]

Think they're mainly against British Stag party bros there for cheap beer and sex of questionable consent

[@Sandro-tp8qt]

From what I see they are against tourists calmly drinking their drinks in some bars. Perfectly understandable! The tourists must be rich and preferably send bank checks from their own country without even visiting Barcelona

[@JuInfinity-d1f]

Tourist should stay in hotel! Airbnb is causing over tourism! Also people travel to posting on social medias 😒

[@tibsyy895]

Barcelonans can be glad that their city is so popular. If tourist would be gone than they would cry about hard economic times! 😅

[@carolinaaguilar4038]

Not really, the city was fine during covid and it will be after tourists ars gone.

[@susanaescriba977]

Another tourist who doesn't even know that Barcelona is the most industrial area in all of Spain.

[@carolinaaguilar4038]

​@simulationkoyo we will be just fine 🙂

[@johnc3525]

It's not tourism or no tourism. The problem is over-tourism. Don't be so obtuse.

[@tibsyy895]

@@johnc3525 Otuse az anyad picsaja te baromarcu gyoker!

[@FatTigerOnATree]

I agree. I was there last year as a tourist. The crowds on the streets took away all the joy of sightseeing. I wanted to leave the city as soon as possible. Dirt, homeless people and thieves everywhere.

[@listerine-pr5lt]

People, please do not go to Spain and let them rest in peace.

[@ziggy8253]

Okay, close your boarders then!

[@jayyoo906]

Overtourism troubles South Korea too, from neighbor countries.

[@sstills951]

I'm guessing not so much from the north border?

[@MissShaypril]

“Tourism now adds little/no benefit.” (Proceeds to allocate tourist money to incentivize more tourism.)

[@anubizz3]

Plenty of other European countries welcome tourists... Go ahead keep make them feel unwelcome... This people already forget how hard covid-19 effect Spain economy..

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

Plenty of other European countries are also discussing how to manage overtourism. E.g. here in Norway.

[@carolinaaguilar4038]

Barcelona was just fine.

[@anubizz3]

@@carolinaaguilar4038 Barcelona get plenty of tourists during covid?

[@carolinaaguilar4038]

Not as many as now,hunny.​@@anubizz3

[@danigonzalez4299]

Barcelona doesn't need to support the whole Spain economy, so do not come thanks

[@mode247]

You can’t be half way aggressive and hurtful. What about the hard working waiters who lost a tourist? What about the wrong tourist who has family in Barcelona.

[@andyroo9381]

Tourism is a good and bad thing for the local economy. If I were a resident, I wouldn't like tourism either. If I was a business owner, I would want tourism.

[@srami004]

People need to step up and take control over the flow of tourism.

[@DwainDwight]

I think city governments especially in places like Barcelona, Paris, London etc...should absolutely limit tourism. how, is a much tougher question.

[@Havoc-bc6oy]

I don't even want to see Barcelona any way. I can think of at least 10 euro cities I'd spend my money seeing before this one.

[@patbenz4327]

Italy better than spain

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

I can't. Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Porto, Florence, Venice, Seville. Those are my top cities i would like to visit and only Rome would be more attractive for me to visit than Barcelona. Immediately after Rome i would like to visit exactly Barcelona. Then all the rest. But my TOP 2 cities to visit are for SURE Rome and Barcelona.

[@Joe-cb6ex]

Cool. Stay out.

[@AbdulMajid-fl1rc]

So they can visit other countries but not their? Ok so they are on not to visit list then?

[@dirtyharry6297]

Ask those guys who is against tourism, Are they traveling to other places as a tourists …?

[@GutterFlower-t2u]

For sure

[@carolinaaguilar4038]

I am but I do not behave like the people that come here do (majority) treating this city like a disposable toilet.

[@barbaras5874]

​@@carolinaaguilar4038 how, by sitting in a restaurant having lunch. The protesters acted despicably.