Behind Barcelona's fight against overtourism | DW News 

Nah, we can be angry at both. And the businesses that run the tourist industry, as well.

​@@Joe-cb6exGovernment is by far the bigger issue. Don't blame people for wanting to go to the beach one week of the year they don't have to work.

@@MachineGunPepe If you, as a tourist, are aware of the issue, as many are, you’re also to blame. I understand many are ignorant of it, but many aren’t, and simply don’t care

@@Joe-cb6exdude. No one is aware of problems in your country, we are barely aware of all the problems in our own countries. People work hard and treat themselves to a few days away somewhere warm. That’s it! You think rich people go to Barcelona and stay in Airbnbs? Talk about useless anger.

@@kindlyignore Your ignorance isn’t my problem. If you’re going to take the time to organize a trip, read up about the place you’re going to.

Yeah, they just talk a lot 🙃

Yeah, because the pandemic was then and this is now. Duh.

No they didn't.

@@sophiedong7481Sophie,they do talk a lot!

We want sustainable tourism, not drunk party people tourism like what we get. It only makes prices go up and creates problems

As a spanish myself, I understand the protests but throwing water to tourists who actually are being civic, it's just unnecessary.

​@@NoeliaRuiz-ls8yw Exactly! Tourism is a problem, but this is not how to solve it. I'm sure Spanish tourists wouldn't like it if they were sprayed with water when they visit Paris, London, Rome, New York or Amsterdam.

​​@@NoeliaRuiz-ls8ywit's plain racist. Catalans are not only nationalists, but even xenophobes (and hypocrites, because I doubt the protesters were never once tourists abroad)

@@NoeliaRuiz-ls8yw Yes, I saw that. They were shooting the tourists with water guns. The average tourist has no idea what's going on in Barcelona.

Very rude. No reason for me to visit. I don’t want to speak Spanish anyway.

So true !!!!!

@@mimimi3440the whole thing is just not adding up…

Music festivals aren't just for tourists you know...they are for the residents

Eles não querem turistas pobres.

Welcome to the efficient spanish inaction around tourism, speculation and rental housing regulations

Thank you! ❤

I'm off to Tunisia

That is where my mom is from🙏🏼

So, basically, you’re being racist and marxist and thinking you are being virtuous? Really? I know this sounds mean, but hopefully it snaps you out of your thinking. I don’t know your city well, but I know many others. Your government is likely causing most of your problems, and doing it because the people approve without connecting the policies with the results. Too many Airbnb’s are a result of too much tax and regulation on hospitality businesses. Too much tourism is often a result of too much spending and subsidies on tourism. Unaffordable housing means you likely have too many housing regulations, zoning, subsidy for ownership, etc. I’m afraid the USA has been letting everyone down. We are supposed to be an example of freedom and equality and free markets, but for over a century, we’ve been slowly turning into a mixed economy with a huge central government. We’ve been living off advantages from after WW2 for decades, so we’ve been faking it all.

You cant have both. Humans are greedy, unless you/ your family or friends are affected you will not care wether you are the politicians or an indepenent landlord. If you have money it is good, you can create life with money and you cn also end lives with money - it is the best ever instruments created by humans. Do yoou like money?

@@ghosthdel3098 I don't like not having money but I could live with having to stay in a hotel on vacation. Probably, most people could live with that too. It's a far better option than being hated by the people who live in the place I love to visit.

Don't forget African crime and rape which really is a problem in all of Europe

@@jpg6113 But in Barcelona you also get pickpocketing by "the Romani people" lol.

They probably expect the government to act on their behalf but the money from tourism convinces them otherwise

@@daikucoffee5316 Still makes no sense to project the anger towards the tourists instead of the gov itself.

Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I mean, there's a reason that old guy kept repeating: "It's complicated"

@@nokaton>Still makes no sense to project the anger towards the tourists instead of the gov itself. It's easier and much safer (and requare no actual work on the problem). 🤐

And In Barcelona there is a huge structural problem with "immobiliarias", real mafias, that own too much houses and ground and speculate. Tourists are just the top of the iceberg.

pickpickets are there for turists, so reducing one will reduce the other too (partially).

Pickpocketing is fighting against tourism. 🤣

@@gargoyle7863 more pickpocket please

US: Fighting against women’s right to choose ✅ Fighting against guns killing children ❌

Barcelona is fighting neither.

"Not enough rich people for everyone" wasting money on each step

Not enough rich husbands for women either.

@@Gruffydom Not enough rich husbands for each and every women in Spain

That’s not what he said. You completely misunderstood it.

If everyone was rich overcrowding would not be a problem due to being able to afford better options.

Nothing worse than giving money to someone who treats you like ish.

Yes went there to meet a family member. We were both in Spain and Barcelona was a half way point. We couldn’t wait to leave.

Tell your family and friends please!

@@seansean2929 Do not worry, you just just have to visited once to know it is a very unwelcoming place.

Great please stay away

also at this point, with AirBNB prices being as high or even higher than hotel + the need to do chores, it makes no sense to opt for them over a full-service hotel tbh

@@AyaaAcademia I'll use it on off cases, like if its a spare room in a flat with someone who owns it or belonging to a local who meets you there and doesn't have 50+ other properties. Also for high price locations like Nice France, where hotels charge a lot just because they can due to the prestige of it and not be of that actual value. Not paying $2000 for a week for a shoebox and 25$ for eggs and a croissant in the morning when I can get a whole apartment for half that with kitchenette and washer and basically just don't leave a mess and take out the trash at the end of the week? An Airbnb owner individually isn't the problem, but corporate owners with dozens or hundreds of properties in one city, Foreign investors that own luxury condos that stay empty just as a means to own an asset they can leverage against to borrow more money and buy more assets, and also sprinkle in a little zoning bureaucracy.

Nah imma keep using it, stay mad brokie 🤡

How about no?

@@AyaaAcademia it still make sence if hotels are all booked off or too far away from point you want. 🤷‍♀

Its economy is 10% tourism

@@killer41756 Sweety, I am talking 50 years ago. You know? When guest laborers from Spain, Italy, Greece and North Africa came North to work because they had no economical prospect in their own country? And let’s not forget Spain was allowed to develop thanks to EU money…. Forget that 10%

That's why a balance is needed. The problem isn't tourism, it's over-tourism.

The type of tourists that come also make a big difference though (I don’t necessarily mean rich or poor), more like… the archetype.

La sobreexplotacion de algo es siempre mala. Subid los precios y se autoregulara por si solo.

With all due respect, respect your comment would mean tourists not coming to respect the country of Greece. But would Greece get by without the income generated by tourism?

@@misschicka2831 I see your point here. My comments aim was to send the message to the tourists that they can visit here even in May/ early June/ late September even October. Greece’s rising temperatures are a perfect opportunity for them to enjoy the sea and the sun plus lower prices in air and accommodation. This way they won’t all come here in July and August cause issues, overpay and pass out in the mountains while trekking. Since our government is greedy we the locals are trying to give out this message to the tourists. This way we all win. Happy summer. Visit Greece. I’ll take my holidays in Crete in October beautiful beaches.

Get creative and explore alternative destinations.

⁠@@hlvr123yes, and also not interesting

Even when travelling to popular destinations, you can always follow certain tips to avoid the worst crowds!

@@hristohristov3026well if interesting for you means famous monuments and instagrammable locations, then probably. But if you are interested in local cultures, food, architecture, nature or just exploring local routine life that is different from yours, then this world still has a lot to offer.

And yet people complain about the economy

Businesses dependent on tourism bitched and moaned when there weren’t tourists. The locals didn’t. We were happy. We were glad to see the streets so quiet.

@@davidbekhsyea the locals are usually happy while the country to literally going broke. Then they will be mad that there is no money for government funded things. You can’t have them both. You can’t have zero tourism but still expect your country to have the influx of money to fund your healthcare and subsidize your industries so prices on things like groceries can be affordable for you.

I blame the tourist for how they behave.

They think the tax revenue is going to cover everything and that the government will immediately hand out handouts in an economic downturn.. Oh, oh Spaniards. That's not how any economy works! 😏🤣🤣

From bar owners

They’re both at fault, especially of the tourists know they’re causing a problem.

Both are a problem in Barcelona. The government doesn't bother to handle tourism because they live uptown in expensive, quiet neighbourhoods and it doesn't directly affect them. However, there's a new type of tourist - the low budget tourist - that revolves around low-middle income people who use budget airlines and hostels to travel around. This type of tourist, with little to no investment capability, will also bring about rowdy behavior, no travel etiquette and no consideration for the locals, ruining whole quarters and plazas with litter, waste and bringing a terrible ambience to otherwise romantic and quiet places. That's why they mention "wealthy tourists" in the video, referring to people with a larger capability to invest, more discrete, often sticking to their resorts, hotels, private boats or shying away from airbnb's or short-term rentals. It's also NOT the type of tourist who will go on a pub crawl, throw cans at cars, harrass local women/men, urinate in some old granny's porch, etc., which is what Barcelona has by the thousands. I did a research project at Universitat de Barcelona and even I, who was not a local, had trouble with the tourists. It's infernal.

@@RipperGandMuy buen análisis. Raramente se hace esta diferencia. Pero hay que reconocer que el turista rico tb es peligroso si viene para especular con la vivienda, cosa muy común en ciudades costeras

True, also it strips national life from the streets. Cafes for locals become brunches for tourists and any utility shop disappears.

move

With how many stories I'm hearing of places getting overtouristed, it seems like the only places that are _not_ getting too many tourists are literal warzones

That's correct. All the local government needs to do is limit the private short-term rentals to non-citizens, and the rest will take care of itself, in terms of a local market rate for housing.

Yeah, so protest the government and make your issue clear against rich people purchasing properties for short term rentals. Harassing the tourists is assanine. You don't want to stop tourism, these protests could have a knock on affect on local businesses and hotel occupancy. The hostility from what is being shown seems misdirected in my opinion.

Honey, you just had anxiety and that is on ya. Take a few pills it'll pass. Dont blame tourists , if you advertise goods people will flock to it . I am fine em Barcelona.

Yep dont come!

You meant to say the money stays in Pakeha hands and indigenous Maoris NZ are seeing a red cent . This is the real tea. If you've got to speak on it then go all the way in mate

I'm sorry to hear that. New Zealand was on my bucket list. However I am not a big traveler and when I do travel, I prefer to stay away from touristy places so maybe I wouldn't contribute to the problem you speak of.

Blame yall government

Well presented, NZ friend. In the US, the saying goes “you get more bees with honey than vinegar” - I’m far more likely to share your points about NZ with others than those of the protestors in Barcelona who shot diners with squirt guns. Their harassment of others does nothing to encourage others to be on their side IMO, whereas matter of fact, non-confrontational approaches such as yours allows people the space to listen and maybe even learn. I’ll add that tourism is still bound to happen to one degree or another. For those cases, it would be awesome to see info at visitor centers about how to tour responsibly…ie best ways to truly support the local economy, including mom and pop businesses (if they welcome it), respect local ecosystems, landmarks, indigenous communities, etc.. Not everyone will care, but some will and that’s worth something in my book.

@@Gibbsong1 I think the people of Barcelona make a good case for their annoyance towards tourists. However, as you said, squirting the tourists is no way to go about it. My friend has a cabin up in northern Maine where there is a population still of indigenous people, and they’ve learned that snowmobile, hunting and camping tourism is a great benefit to the local economy. But northern Maine is somewhat untouched by humanity and not taken advantage of by tourism.

Sounds like you need a better degree

It is not the problem of Portugal only. Austria is overwhelmed with tourists too. The prices are like in Switzerland, salaries are low

Tourism is the distraction that governments use to hide their shortcomings. In most of these countries the issue is lack of housing and infrastructure for the local population, but by blaming the tourists the government can avoid blame. Unfortunately in the long term that will also mean less income and jobs for local people if tourism slows.

You can afford, but you were a PhD student. 😂

​that is the entire west if you don't have a specialized STEM degree it seems :( ​@@tomadevil1

People pee on the streets mostly because lack of sufficient number of free public toilets. Don’t spit into the well you a drinking from. Tourism is the bread and butter of Barcelona

What a sad situation! My mother had her apartment in Tres Torres, so she never felt that problem, but that area has become horribly expensive now.

What’s sad is my mom would have yelled at me if we didn’t respect someone’s else’s home or city like we do ours. She was like god made us to look after every part of this earth not just one place that means don’t litter etc. Be grateful that you’re here in a place like Barcelona and keep it like it is for others to enjoy.

I felt the same in Amsterdam and guilty being another tourist no matter how behaved.

Okay, so if u don't do those obviously problematic things, I'm Gucci. Good to know!

"outcasts"? I think there's another word that Hawaiians and Venetians would use for tourists.

@sstills951 yes and if i use that word my comment will be deleted

winter is high season only in the alps and partially in the nordics..try it out in sommer and you will experience a different drama

Or you can visit less touristy places… turkey, is a prime example 😊

​@@75THRANGER1 Istanbul and Ismir are both quite packed with tourists. Can't speak for other places, but I would imagine the capital was as well.

@@75THRANGER1 I’ve been to Turkey, amazing country! Istanbul, the ancient cites and the food, all a lifetime memory that I highly recommend. It’s hard to find places anymore that don’t have high tourist populations which is why I try to visit in the off months.

Southern Europe as a WHOLE got beach lenghts like 20 Floridas dude. 😂😂😂😂😂 Literally ALL kinds of beaches exist in southern Europe. Sandy, rocky, beaches, long beaches, short beaches, famous beaches with a lot of people, less famous beaches with plenty of room, etc. Just avoid the hot spots and you will find fantastic half empty beach in southern Europe in no time at all. Southern Europe is 200 million people with a HUGE and VERY diverse coastline. Dumb for any European to go to Florida instead of the southern Europe. The trip alone is expensive. For others i don't know. Maybe it's better for Americans. For Europeans certainly NOT.

Try this one instead: Why are you travelling to Barcelona, where locals are not welcoming and not happy to see you? There are many other places like Amsterdam, Venice, Paris, New York, Firenze, Roma, Madrid and many many others, all of them with the same problem, and you’ll not be welcome either…😎

@@AlexWestLondon24 Yeah I think you just reiterated what they just said.

@@sstills951 Not at all, just the opposite…😉

I think the city is on drugs

​@@BarcelonaMariaMafiacorrect, decriminalised cannabis, more than 10000 empty flats in the center alone and lots of room for expanding tourism along the railway line. Yet, no solution. Everyone just wants a cheap flat in Poblenou. 😂😂

My thoughts exactly. If the economics worked out fairly, there wouldn't be a problem.

How is it not :DD

Usually tourist's attraction points on federal budget. So do locals would pay full price for it maitance and repair too then?

Communist?

If a local has an airbnb, it goes to the local. If a local has a restaurant, it goes to the local. If a local makes experiences related to tourism (Sightseeing, photography, surf lessons), it goes to the local. Stop being a cry baby and go do something to make money, don't expect the government to give it to you. This is the problem with "European" mentality. The state is the daddy, everybody looking for a handout.

@@ryss1 It just doesn't. Tourism benefits only a sector of a society. I live in a city that has been hostage of European tourism for almost two decades now. It is just terrible to live here. The only happy locals are those who own restaurants and airbnbs, and many of those are even locals or nationals.

They can do that for the canary islands but hard to implement for mainland cities like Barcelona. I would say a better way is a blanket goods and services tax. Then have a universal basic income scheme for poorer households

What kind of permits? Permits to who?

@@GTA5Player1 Rooms? City attractions?

@@dudermcdudeface3674 So you would tell hotels and site operators how many people they're allowed to let in? That's just annoying...

@@GTA5Player1 You already do. It's called fire codes.

Oh wow that is a simple solution. You know what? You're a smart person.

yea I immediately crossed off visiting Bali once i saw models and influencers populating.

An Aussie bogan's paradise

@TheAlmightyClipse right now the problem not just Aussie. Russian, Ukrainian Arab and Indian also make problems. Especially Russian

Thanks for understanding

People should be free to visit anywhere in the world, but also local officials should limit the flow when necessary at certain times.

Totally true

Just to be sure.. Barcelona is a city, not a country👍

Barcelona is a city not the entire country of Spain. And tourists no very little of the actual nice things Barcelona offers, just the trash aimed at the tourists themselves who waddle up Las Ramblas and stupidly gaze at La Sagrada Familia while getting robbed.

@@Jaylio I live in Spain, so usually holiday there. Barcelona is the only place so far I will not be returning. So happy to see the locals, do not want me back too, so i will be happy to oblige. Highly recommend Malaga, in fact the whole south of Spain.

Yayy stay away please!!!!

Yes please don't come

@@danigonzalez4299 exactly, plus there are better places to see in the world.

​@@gregap8282 much much better places, the world is huge. Let's forget the horrible people who live in Spain and concentrate on amazing places.

True. And overpopulation.

Yep that's where all begun

Let's not forget the existence of humans daring to want to visit other countries

Don't you live in England?

@@KimB10M No I used to, I've been living in Barcelona for the past 2 years now :D

You are part of the problem

@@sashalivesinengland No Papi, le them enjoy the city , off season. its not their fault you Latinos keep advertising this city as Gaudi city con Paella etc.. what i know is that unemployment is insane in barcelona so its a double edge sword.

@@PHlophe wtf you mean latino I'm literally ukrainian and paella comes from valencia?😅

You're fortunate at the moment due to the large vast open spaces there in Canada unlike large crowded, vibrant, and historical European cities. It's only a matter of time before larger Canadian cities go that route. Toronto and Vancouver these days have changed drastically compared to just a few decades ago due to the huge influx of largely Asian immigrants.

A matter of time. Banff, Jasper, Whistler are unbearable due to the volume of tourists. Locals are priced out.

Wait till you come to Ontario. I can't believe what happened here

I'm a photographer in Toronto. The number of visitors to places in and around Ontario recently has turned these beautiful and once quaint places into crowded mess.

@@nekola203 I live in Alberta, Everything is really spread out. Even Banff has few issues

I'm guessing not so much from the north border?

Terrassa is worth nothing tbh, Tarragona is okay-ish. They have quite a few Roman Ruines. Beach is nothing really special. Enjoy your stay.

Nice! Thanks dont come

​@@danigonzalez4299And you also don't go out from Barcelona 😂 I suppose if noone can enter Barcelona it's fair to ask that nobody gets out from Barcelona.

That would be something

For their government to essentially lose money? Sure

For their government to essentially lose money? Sure

I agree. Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, all having the same problem.

It's about, as usual, poor vs rich classes. Rich live from Tourism, poor only "enjoy" it by basically be thrown away from they neighborhood due to Airbnb's and stuff like it.

yup. be careful what you wish for.

they can't have the cake and eat it too. money is money. if they want it, sacrifices must be made.

The city will be just fine.

​@siarnaqfrost4968 sorry but I won't sacrifice my city by allowing people to come here and treat it like a garbage disposal

same happened to Mallorca

Yes pls

Not really, the city was fine during covid and it will be after tourists ars gone.

@@carolinaaguilar4038 not in the long term. funds would dry up eventually.

Another tourist who doesn't even know that Barcelona is the most industrial area in all of Spain.

​@simulationkoyo we will be just fine 🙂

It's not tourism or no tourism. The problem is over-tourism. Don't be so obtuse.

Plenty of other European countries are also discussing how to manage overtourism. E.g. here in Norway.

Barcelona was just fine.

@@carolinaaguilar4038 Barcelona get plenty of tourists during covid?

Not as many as now,hunny.​@@anubizz3

Barcelona doesn't need to support the whole Spain economy, so do not come thanks

Nice!