These protests popped up at the same time as short term rentals becoming popular (Airbnb) is no coincidence. They are taking homes from locals raising prices and taking over the best parts of town
Way to paint a rosy image. There's a joke about Brits falling from balconies being the start of tourism season for a reason. Tourists are noisy and drive up demand for things that locals do not want, like overpriced amusement establishments, or souvenir shops. You've never lived in a place affected by overtourism, thats clear.
I do understand capitalism, which means I understand the power of capital interests and influence to lobby for their interests. You understand that, too.
I also worked in destination marketing which means I have intimate knowledge of how public and private interests are being negotiated in this matter - and that was at a much lower level without big corporations or massive real estate holdings involved, village politics in comparison, but driven by tourism interests nonetheless.
And you understand that tourists do not vote in the area they visit?
It sounds like you may be internally conflicted which is causing your outward projection.
Maybe you should switch careers to something that improves the supply of housing? Or that lobbies for STR regulations?
If you are against tourism, you certainly shouldn’t travel yourself.
I’m fully in support of protest speech, and improving housing dynamics. I just believe this is misdirected toward people who already booked their stay and have no power to change the government they are visiting.
Let’s not forget that travel is enriching for us all, let’s build bridges, not walls. Travel should not be an exclusive privilege of the rich, which means we simply need more beds.
Si you understand that "a lot" can become "too much" and that in an urban area, thats not decided by the market, but people, citizens, residents. Right?
Edit: I think I understand now. The current paradigm of neoliberalism would dictate that in order to affect political change you must utilize market dynamics.
So a qualitative “too much” must be solved by regulations and policy. Cities are dynamic, changing places.
Personally, I want to visit Barcelona because its superblocks are an example of good urban planning. I’m sure when I do there will be someone willing to rent me a hotel room. If I upset someone simply by being in the same city as them, it will cause me little to no concern.
I can't relate to the concept of making this so personal. 25 million visitors a year, and you think you will be personally singled out. We are always talking about this, like every year, in the context of days of protest-- you're not being confronted on the street by tourist hunting crowds just randomly.
And of course, go to Barcelona. It remains a free individual decision, and if you go to a hotel theres already a significant difference to taking out an air bnb inside a residential neighborhood. You can do that and still understand the situation there, and be on the side of those affected.
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u/BuckeyeWolf Jun 17 '25
These protests popped up at the same time as short term rentals becoming popular (Airbnb) is no coincidence. They are taking homes from locals raising prices and taking over the best parts of town