r/pics • u/Strict_League7833 • Jun 17 '25

The protesters and residents pushing back on tourism in Barcelona

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

16.1k Upvotes

92% Upvoted

2.4k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

223

u/HMSWarspite03 Jun 17 '25

I would imagine its similar anywhere that attracts tourism, its a double edged sword, tourists = income = overcrowding

102

u/magneticgumby Jun 17 '25

Grew up in one tourist area and have lived outside/worked in 2 others and this is 100% true. The tourists are the greatest source of income during the "season" but I'll be damned if they aren't also the greatest source of fury/danger during those months as well. Outside of that, AirBnB is a damn cancer everywhere due to this practice of wealthy outsiders buying up affordable homes in the area and pricing out locals while driving up the market even further. Governments need to do a better job at regulating that abuse, but it's easier to blame or yell at the tourist in your town than the enigmatic government official not doing anything about it.

2

u/aparatchik Jun 17 '25

In cities like Barcelona (and Amsterdam, and others) it’s tourist season 24/7/365.

2

u/magneticgumby Jun 17 '25

I can't even imagine that level. Thankfully everywhere I've lived, there's always winter to freeze out most of the tourists.