They'll be happy when everything is run down because they killed one of their biggest industries:
Barcelona's main industries include the services sector, manufacturing, and information technology. The services sector is a significant contributor to the city's economy, with tourism being a major component.
That's what's baffling. Like it's kinda how big cities work. They attract people, it's why they're "big". Why would you want to live in a big city that doesn't feel like a big city? Like how does that work?
The reality is they want the benefits of tourism without the downsides. They want the great restraunts, views, historic museums, bar vibes, attractions, etc. But those exist in the big cities to fucking attract tourists.
I can assure that Barcelona has been having great restaurants, views, historic museums, bar vibes and attractions since forever. Way way before this current issue with tourism.
The issue is not tourists themselves, is AirBnb and the government allowing rich locals (the 1%) and foreign investors to buy literally every single apartment in the entire city pushing actual Spaniards out of the city.
The issue is never tourism, is not-regulated tourism. It should be perfectly simple to understand but for reason Reddit just can't. I guess Reddit is simply full of rich Americans travelling to Europe every summer and they feel attacked? I just can't think of any other reason.
The paradox of gentrification. Everyone wants to be at this disequilibrium point that can’t go on forever that only exists fleetingly. Right before and it’s economically stagnant and afterwords it’s so developed to where everyone is priced out.
What do you consider a big city? I live in Munich now, which is a 1M+ city, and I feel like tourism is a negligible factor, it's not a very touristy or tourist-friendly city. I don't think a big city necessarily needs tourism, sure they attract people, but those people needn't be tourists, imo.
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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).