The tourist protests in Spain, Portugal and Italy explained
Organised protests against overtourism took place on Sunday in cities across Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Demonstrators reportedly shouted "tourists go home" - the same slogan written in graffiti in some cities - as they protested, as well as spraying tourists with water guns in some places. Some hotel entrances were reportedly blocked, while flares were also lit in some demonstrations.
Protests were planned in Barcelona and seven other Spanish cities, including Granada, Palma and Ibiza; Portugal's capital Lisbon; and the Italian cities of Venice, Genova, Palermo, Milan and Naples.
They were organised by groups in various countries including Barcelona's Neighbourhoods Assembly for Tourism Degrowth and the SET alliance - Sud d'Europa contra la Turistització, or Southern Europe against Overtourism.
The protests are building on sporadic demonstrations that took place in Spain last year. Here is why people are protesting.
The protests are the result of growing anger about what locals in various countries see as excessive tourism in some cities and holiday resorts.
Activists say overtourism makes it impossible for locals to find affordable housing, clogs up city centres and pushes up the cost of living.
Spain and France are among countries set to welcome record numbers of tourists this year, with international travel spending in Europe expected to rise by 11% to £617 billion ($838 billion).
In 2024, 26 million tourists visited Barcelona, with a survey in the city finding that 31% of residents considered tourism to be damaging.
Daniel Pardo Rivacoba, spokesperson for Barcelona's Neighbourhoods Assembly for Tourism Degrowth, said: "When they (officials) say that we have to specialise in tourism, they are basically telling us that you have to get poorer so that other people can get richer."
In March, anti-tourism campaigners in Majorca published an open letter telling visitors 'not to come' and that they were 'the source of our problem'.
Under increasing pressure, various governments have made efforts to show that they are taking people's concerns seriously, whilst also encouraging tourists to continue to visit.
In March, the Balearic Islands government announced a range of 'tourism containment measures' aimed at addressing mass tourism, including increased tourist taxes, restrictions on tourist rentals, and a new levy on hire cars.
Barcelona announced last year that it would shut all short-term lets by 2028, and authorities have highlighted that measures have been taken to address the challenges brought by mass tourism, including a ban on tourist apartments and an ongoing tourism tax.
But pro-tourist bodies have also been keen to reassure visitors, who they say bring diversity and are important for the local economy.
In an open letter published on Friday, Barcelona's tourism agency said: "If you hear someone from Barcelona say, 'Tourists, go home', you should know that most of us don't think that way."
Jaime Rodriguez de Santiago, head of Airbnb for Iberia, said that Barcelona's restrictions have scapegoated short-lets, which he said helped redistribute visitor flows to less crowded parts of a city.
What is the answer to overtourism? (DW)
UK tourists warned they should 'fear' visiting four countries in Europe this summer (Birmingham Live)
British tourists flock to Spain despite summer of overtourism protests (Independent)
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