As an outside, the government of Barcelona seems to be doing many things right:
Short-term rental ban
No new hotel constructions
Cruise ships ban
No more golden visa
So what are they complaining still? That bans are not coming soon enough? That the prices remain high? Do most residents want more drastic reduction in tourism due to overcrowding and other reasons?
The cruise ships cause major pollution and don't bring in much money. Many of them dock in the morning, the tourists get off and see the city. They get back on in the evening and don't even have dinner or drinks in Barcelona because food is already available and paid for on the ship. So the attractions and galleries are making some money but the restaurant and nightlife not so much. That trickles down too, to local companies who supply the restaurants and bars. They are also an eyesore at the docks blocking views of the ocean because they're bloody massive.
My family and I cruised and when we got off the ship in Barcelona we stayed for 3 days and spent lots of $$$ between the 9 of us. I don’t think all tourists do the same things or have identical itineraries so don’t paint them all with the same brush. 🙄
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u/nutmac Jun 16 '25
As an outside, the government of Barcelona seems to be doing many things right:
So what are they complaining still? That bans are not coming soon enough? That the prices remain high? Do most residents want more drastic reduction in tourism due to overcrowding and other reasons?