Hundreds of anti-tourism protesters rally in Barcelona

Hundreds of people gathered in Barcelona on Sunday for an anti-tourism protest under the slogan: 'Tourism steals our bread, homes, and future.'

A strong international media presence witnessed many protesters arrive armed with water pistols, after a similar rally in Barcelona last summer made headlines around the world when tourists were targeted.

The organization behind Saturday's rally and the demonstration in July 2024 said they hoped to "disrupt the tourism status quo."

Daniel Pardo Rivacoba, a member of the Assembly of Neighborhoods for Tourism Degrowth had encouraged protesters to bring water pistols, which he said had become "a popular symbol of resistance against the plundering of the tourism monoculture." 

He stated that the tourism industry "is incompatible with life" and demanded "tourism degrowth now." 

The march set off from Jardinets de Gràcia just after 12:30pm, 30 minutes after its scheduled start time.

600 people took part in the rally, according to Barcelona police. Organizers put the figure at 3,000.

There were moments of tension outside a hostel after it was targeted with water pistols, tape and stickers.

There was an argument and pushing and shoving between protesters and a staff member.

The Louis Vuitton store on Passeig de Gràcia was also targeted with water pistols and smoke bombs.

After a long delay a few blocks from Sagrada Família, police eventually allowed the rally to continue and conclude close to Barcelona's most famous tourist attraction.

Workers' rights

Workers were front and center of the rally, including groups representing migrant workers, such as Top Manta street vendors and the Kellys – mainly cleaners, often in hotels.

Before the rally, Pardo said the tourism sector "subjects the people who work in it to the worst working and salary conditions."

Pardo also cited the housing crisis as one of the main negative impacts of mass tourism. 

Protesters also voiced their opposition to the expansion of Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Zeroport spokesperson Ariadna Cotèn said they are sending a message towards politicians, not tourists: "Tourists are not really to blame for this situation happening in Barcelona," she said before the rally.

Despite those comments, many of the chants and placards at the protests did identify tourists as the problem, including "one more tourist, one less neighbor," and, in English, "Tourist, go home."

Protests were organized across Spain, including Ibiza (Eivissa), Donostia-San Sebastián, Palma, Granada, and the Pyrenees, as well as in Portugal's capital, Lisbon, and in several Italian cities.