It’s not just a Spanish problem. Cities across the world are struggling with how to cope with overtourism and a boom in short-term rental platforms, like Airbnb, but perhaps nowhere has surging discontent been so evident as in Barcelona, where protesters plan to take to the streets on Sunday.
Similar demonstrations are slated in several other Spanish cities, including on the Balearic islands of Mallorca and Ibiza, as well as in the Italian postcard city of Venice, Portugal’s capital Lisbon and other cities across southern Europe — marking the first time a protest against tourism has been coordinated across the region.
Spaniards have staged several large protests in Barcelona, Madrid and other cities in recent years to demand lower rents. When thousands marched through the streets of Spain’s capital in April, some held homemade signs saying “Get Airbnb out of our neighborhoods.”
From a protest standpoint though, what about all the tourists that are staying in normal hotels? Targeting tourists truly in general, just seems kind of dubious.
Its water pistols. In hot parts of Europe. I’m sure they are following well punlished routes. I don’t think there’s anything dubious here. Except AirBnB apartments
It’s still stupid. Do this to members of parliament or city officials. This is essentially blaming foreigners for their officials valuing profits over their citizens