European Cities Face Urban Revolt as Locals Protest Against Mass Tourism

BARCELONA, SPAIN – Residents in major European cities, including Barcelona, Lisbon, and Venice, are escalating protests against mass tourism, citing unbearable living conditions and cultural erosion. Locals report that excessive tourism has led to a drastic increase in living costs, particularly for food and rent, and has caused traditional aspects of city life to disappear. Overcrowding has become a significant daily challenge. In Barcelona, demonstrations specifically targeted the proposed expansion of El Prat airport, a project intended to further boost tourist arrivals. Protesters, expressing their frustration, were seen holding banners with slogans such as "Mass tourism kills the city" and "Out with tourist apartments." Some participants resorted to using water guns and smoke bombs, attempting to block access to hotels and shops. One resident stated, "The tourism sector has proven to be incompatible with life in the cities. Tourism expels life from the city, it exploits it." Another participant, when sprayed with water, commented, "Thank you, darling. It's refreshing." The movement, coordinated at a European level, underscores a growing sentiment among residents that their quality of life is being sacrificed for economic gains from tourism. In 2024, Spain received 90 million tourists, highlighting the scale of the issue.