United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Thousands protest in Barcelona against overtourism
A huge overtourism protest swept across Barcelona at the weekend at the most significant demonstration yet against tourist overcrowding.
More than 150 organisations marched on Barcelona’s streets comprising an estimated 3,000 people.
They demonstrated outside hotels and restaurants.
It follows similar protests in the Canary Islands and Mallorca.
Protesters chanted ‘tourists, go home.’
Activist Martí Cusó said: “We want the city’s economic model to prioritise other much fairer economies. And for that we consider that we have to decrease tourism.”
Barcelona is the country’s most visited city.
It attracts about 32 million visitors a year, with many arriving on cruise ships.
City leaders have already restricted cruise ship traffic and is hiking the tourist tax later this year.
Barcelona city council recently announced it will rid the city of about 10,000 registered short-term rentals which are marketed to tourists.
As well as overcrowding and congestion, protestors see the declining number of affordable housing options as a major negative impact from tourism.
Related News Stories: Mass Tourism Hunger Strike in the Spanish Canary Islands
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Foreign Office issues travel advisory for winter sun destinations