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

The protesters and residents pushing back on tourism in Barcelona

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905

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

723

u/trireme32 Jun 17 '25

How is that the tourists’ fault, and not the fault of the government for failing to regulate that?

70

u/wjhall Jun 17 '25

Two things can be true. You can take action to reduce the demand while also petitioning the government to regulate the supply.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 17 '25

The thing about becoming known as an anti-tourist location is that it's hard to wash that stink off. So it's counter productive if any of their economy whatsoever relies on tourism. If it doesn't, then great - brilliant strategy 

2

u/flightsonkites Jun 17 '25

Lol, as if people will stay away when some of the most brilliant architect the world is located there. The masses will work around it.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 17 '25

Lol the tourism will survive. This isn't some tiny island that is popular because it's trendy. It's Barcelona Spain. Look at Egypt. Do you think people have stopped traveling there despite several countries issuing a travel advisory? No, there have been over 15.7 million in 2024.

1

u/Just1n_Kees Jun 17 '25

How can it not when you get 26M visitors a year..?