Demonstrations have recently swept Spain, one of the world’s most visited countries
Anti-mass tourism protests that have recently taken place in Spain are expected to spread throughout the region, according to Peter DeBrine, a senior project officer for sustainable tourism at UNESCO, as cited by The Guardian.
In recent months, thousands of Spaniards have protested against mass tourism in Malaga, Mallorca, Gran Canaria, Granada, and Barcelona. Residents from across the most popular destinations in Spain, which is ranked as the world’s second most visited country, are voicing their concerns about the tourist influx, which they say has made their cities unbearable.
“We are reaching a point where these destinations are exceeding their tolerance threshold,” DeBrine stated. “The situation needs to be rebalanced. Currently, it is completely out of whack.”
In July, Reuters reported, citing local police, that an anti-tourism rally in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, attracted approximately 10,000 people. One protester told the news agency that people desire a reduction in tourist numbers, citing massive price increases and the strain placed on public services on the island.
A housing crisis across heavily visited areas could be the final straw, DeBrine suggested, explaining that tourism has exacerbated existing concerns about housing affordability, as the proliferation of short-term accommodations displaces local residents from the market.
Last month, anti-tourism protesters in Barcelona sprayed visitors with water guns and held signs that read “Tourists go home” and “You are not welcome.”
DeBrine described these actions as “extreme and unnecessary,” but acknowledged that they “will not cease until some form of response is provided.” The UN official called for a paradigm shift, urging decision-makers to take steps to improve the lives of local residents, while warning of the substantial risk of the protests spreading beyond Spain.