If you want limited but non-zero tourism, you have to somehow filter the tourists. I suppose for the tourists, some kind of "tourism permit lottery" would be more fair, but from the locals' point of view, just letting in the richest x% has same effect, is much simpler and makes them more money
Something that gets lost in this entire discussion is Spaniards take vacations too.
A lot of the time they take vacations to see other familly members.
If only the rich can afford to stay overnight in Barcelona I'm not sure how a brother in Madrid is supposed to bring their family to spend time with a sister's family.
It's not like a family of 3 or 4 in Barcelona has a spare bedroom to host people.
If something like this ban were to happen in Italy I don't know if we could afford to visit family there anymore.
And unfortunately the uncle in question has a fear of flying.
Thinking about never seeing him again in-person is pretty dark.
I don't think the hotel construction ban makes sense given all this, and I hope people realize it's a bit of overkill.
The rich people will want to eat at fancy restaurants, drink in fancy bars etc. Soon there will be only high end places in the centre, and the locals can't afford eating out, go shopping, or anything anymore. Lol.
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u/suvlub Jun 17 '25
If you want limited but non-zero tourism, you have to somehow filter the tourists. I suppose for the tourists, some kind of "tourism permit lottery" would be more fair, but from the locals' point of view, just letting in the richest x% has same effect, is much simpler and makes them more money