BARCELONA, Spain — In a vibrant display against overtourism, protesters armed with water pistols targeted unsuspecting tourists in both Barcelona and Mallorca this past Sunday. The demonstrations, which drew thousands, were part of a coordinated effort to highlight the economic challenges that residents believe are exacerbated by rampant tourism.
Activists across southern Europe’s popular destinations came together, culminating in the biggest gathering in Palma, Mallorca, where approximately 5,000 people marched in solidarity. Smaller protests also took place in other cities throughout Spain and in international locales such as Venice, Italy, and Lisbon, Portugal.
Andreu Martínez, a 42-year-old administrative assistant in Barcelona, expressed the frustrations felt by many residents. “The squirt guns are to bother the tourists a bit,” he chuckled, noting the peculiar form of protest. “Barcelona has been handed to the tourists. This is a fight to give Barcelona back to its residents.”
Martínez is among the growing number of locals who believe that tourism has spiraled out of control in the city, which has a resident population of around 1.7 million. In 2022, Barcelona welcomed 15.5 million visitors looking to experience attractions such as Antoni Gaudí’s La Sagrada Familia and the iconic Las Ramblas promenade.
With the influx of tourists, Martínez reported a staggering increase in his rent—over 30%—as more apartments in his neighborhood transition to short-term tourist rentals. He lamented the transformation of local businesses, with traditional shops giving way to tourist-centric establishments like souvenir shops and bubble tea cafes.
“Our lives, as lifelong residents of Barcelona, are coming to an end,” he continued. “We are being pushed out systematically.”
The Mallorca protest included demonstrators carrying water guns and chanting slogans like “Everywhere you look, all you see are tourists.” Tourists caught in the crossfire largely took the event in stride. Palma, known for its appeal to British and German sun-seekers, has seen a surge in housing costs as homes are repurposed for the short-term rental market.
Further protests erupted in cities such as Granada and San Sebastián, as well as on the island of Ibiza. Meanwhile, a small protest in Venice featured a banner decrying the construction of new hotel beds in the historic city, calling attention to the plight of local residents.
In Barcelona, protesters expressed their frustration through various tactics, including blowing whistles and displaying homemade signs that read, “One more tourist, one less resident.” They also posted stickers with messages such as “Citizen Self-Defense” and “Tourist Go Home,” complete with images of water pistols, on hotel doors.
Tensions flared in front of a large hostel when protesters unleashed water on workers. Firecrackers were set off nearby, and clouds of pink smoke filled the air, prompting one worker to retaliate by spitting at the protesters as he shut the hostel doors.
Some tourists, like American visitors Wanda and Bill Dorozenski, responded with humor to being squirted. “That’s lovely, thank you sweetheart,” Wanda said, appreciating the refreshing spray on a warm day. She recognized that the protest stemmed from a deep concern for local residents and the impact tourism has on the city’s character.
In the face of global challenges related to mass tourism and the rise of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, Spain is experiencing a unique wave of public discontent. Last summer, protests in Barcelona featured similar tactics involving squirt guns, highlighting local frustration at tourist saturation.
As Spain witnessed a record 94 million international visitors in 2024, cities grapple with balancing tourism’s economic benefits against the needs of their residents. In response to the protests, authorities have taken steps to address the concerns of locals, striving to maintain tourism’s contribution to the economy while mitigating its negative impact on housing.
Recently, the Spanish government mandated that Airbnb remove approximately 66,000 holiday rentals for violations of local regulations. Spain’s Consumer Rights Minister, Pablo Bustinduy, underscored that the tourism sector must not infringe upon residents’ constitutional rights to housing and well-being.
Barcelona’s town hall announced a significant crackdown last year, declaring an end to all 10,000 short-term rental licenses in the city by 2028—an unprecedented move that left Airbnb and similar services startled.
Protesters continued to rally on Sunday, holding signs proclaiming, “Your Airbnb was my home,” echoing the sentiments of those feeling displaced by the burgeoning rent market.
Defending the short-term rental industry, Jaime Rodríguez de Santiago, Airbnb’s director for Spain and Portugal, argued that hosts are being scapegoated for the failures of local housing and tourism policies developed over decades. However, this perspective is yet to resonate with many locals.
Txema Escorsa, a local teacher, articulated a broader opposition to platforms like Airbnb, emphasizing a commitment to avoid using them even when traveling elsewhere. “In the end, you realize that this is taking away housing from people,” he said, reflecting a common sentiment among the city’s residents who seek to reclaim their neighborhoods from invasive tourism dynamics.
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