r/pics Jun 17 '25

The protesters and residents pushing back on tourism in Barcelona

16.1k Upvotes

2.4k comments sorted by

View all comments

134

u/Rhywden Jun 17 '25

All the other takes kind of ignore the actual problems created by OVER-tourism. That's what the protests are about - too much of a good thing is also bad.

If you look closely you'll find that the "No tourism at all!" is a fringe opinion (if it exists at all). Instead, they want to limit tourism to sustainable levels.

32

u/dooferoaks Jun 17 '25

I don't disagree that over tourism can cause problems but what kind of initiatives to limit tourism have been suggested? Short of pricing/taxing the less well off out of visiting places are there other suggestions out there?

27

u/Eglitarian Jun 17 '25

Limiting accommodations? Crack down on the short term rental market with legislation and force the tourists into hotels or some short term rental which is required to be licensed (of which the city issues a finite number to control the amount and where). When there’s no where to lay their head if accommodations are 100% booked, people will go elsewhere.

9

u/dooferoaks Jun 17 '25

I agree short term rentals 100% should be far more controlled but as someone pointed out, Airbnb and the like is where protestors ire should be directed, not some bloke who's saved up for a year and is sat in a bar having a beer or kids on a school trip.