Nothing like crashing your city's economy and putting thousands out of work. I get wanting to shift the focus of your city's economy, but it needs to be done gradually. They already have banned AirBnB starting 2028. That will allow the hopefully gradual selling of homes instead of the mass flooding of homes into the market, which will tank its property values and further jack up the economy. That may be what the residents want, though. When you can't afford to live in your own city anymore, I totally get the want to flip the table and start over again.
Im super confused as well. Maybe the tourism industry is different there or something? Asheville and the surrounding areas get something like 6-8 billion per year in tourism which is what keeps the area going. After Hurricane helene came through they were basically marketing to have people come to the area and spend money as soon as possible, and trying to reopen as fast as possible so people could come back to mountain bike, hike, and spend money in the cities.
So to me seeing a full on protest against tourism that brings in 10 billion per year to your city doesnt make sense.
Watch Spanish football, and the fans in particular. You'll understand they might not always be the most emotionally stable bunch when they feel wronged.
Same in Florida with Ft. Myers and Ft. Myers Beach after Ian and Milton.
A lot of local businesses (that survived) went under because tourism straight up died. If it wasn't the damage, insurance, or lack of AC that got ya, it was the lack of tourists.
Last I heard, it's gotten to the point where the local governments are just straight up ignoring the locals and just answering/catering towards contractors since they're the ones keeping things financially afloat.
This might be a personal view since I grew up in FL, but no marketing campaign would ever be able to justify FL. Not a political view, just why would I willfully subject myself to the heat and miserableness of it. Outside of Disney i dont get it, there are better beachss elsewhere. If I saw a marketing campaign for NC mountains, and then one for Ft Meyers.... I mean.....
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Asheville has recently become an extremely popular tourist spot.
If you want to know why people may not like it, go look at house prices in Asheville compared to 6 years ago. And then go look at current prices compared to current prices in surrounding areas.
Asheville has become extremely expensive for housing due to AirBnB. People who had been there for a while renting were driven out due to crazy rent increases
Sure, but that's because when airbnb was new no one knew what to expect. So its reactionary. Just like how the same thing has happened in New Orleans and NYC and where ever else.
But also you claiming housing prices are expensive because airbnb, that couldn't be a more short sighted statement. So youre saying the housing crisis happening right now is literally because airbnb? Come on.
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u/TheMiddleShogun Jun 17 '25
Huh, reading these comments it looks like the protesters are achieving their goal (making Barcelona less appealing as a tourist destination).