War on overtourism’ Push back as numbers soar in Barcelona

Push back as numbers soar in Barcelona

Tourists are flocking to Barcelona in ever-increasing numbers, fueling anger among locals who complain that mass tourism is driving up housing prices and overwhelming public spaces in Spain's second city.

Known for its Belle Epoque architecture, museums and beaches, Barcelona receives an average of 170,000 visitors per day according to municipal figures, and tourism accounts for roughly 13.5% of the city's gross domestic product.

At the same time, tourism is now the third most worrying problem for Barcelona's 1.6 million residents according to a municipal survey, mirroring a trend seen in other tourism hotspots across Europe.

“There is an excessive economic dependence on the tourist sector,” said Daniel Pardo of the Assembly of Neighbourhoods, adding he was disappointed that after the pandemic there has been an 'aggressive' rebound in tourism in the city of around 1.6 million residents.

Thousands of people marched through the streets of Barcelona on Sunday to protest against the city's tourism-centric economic model, as well as the America's Cup sailing competition it is hosting this year.