Protests in Europe Target Mass Tourism With Squirt Guns and Roller Bags
The squirt guns returned to the streets of Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday as thousands gathered for long-planned protests against mass tourism in cities across southern Europe.
In Genoa, Italy, demonstrators rolled suitcases down the city center's narrow paved streets, as part of what they called a 'noisy stroll.' In Lisbon, protesters carried a handmade effigy of the city's patron saint from his namesake church to the site of a future five-star hotel. And on the Spanish island of Majorca, locals stopped a double-decker tourist bus on Saturday, setting off flares and hanging a banner on its side.
In Barcelona, the center of recent protests against overtourism in European cities, demonstrators carrying signs reading 'Tourists go home' and 'Tourism is stealing from us' marched down the city's so-called Golden Mile, a street flanked by luxury boutiques and high-end hotels, spraying visitors with water outside a Louis Vuitton store. Outside a nearby hostel, a scuffle broke out with employees, with some protesters setting off fireworks. A police barricade stopped the march near the Sagrada Família Basilica, one of the city's main tourist attractions.
Sunday's protests grew out of a weekend of workshops held in Barcelona by the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification in April, after demonstrations last July in which squirt guns emerged as a symbol of anger over the effects of mass tourism.
The protests are the latest in a growing movement driven by quality-of-life issues, including high housing costs and environmental damage, that protest organizers say are a result of overtourism.
'The general perception is that these people have way more money than we do — they come here to party, to rent places we can't afford on our wages,' said Joan Mas, a 31-year-old waiter living in Barcelona. 'The problem is the tourism model itself: It's all about serving drinks, about real estate and the hotel industry.'
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Washington Post
an hour ago
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A beach day in Lagos: Waves, grilled meat and Afrobeat
LAGOS, Nigeria — One boy hoists a surfboard over his head and walks toward the water. Another is already in and paddling with his hands. Ships in the Gulf of Guinea dot the horizon. For many people inhabiting Africa's most populous city, this level of zen is a myth. But if you've found your way to Tarkwa Bay Beach, which you can only reach by boat, the scenery is yours. On a Friday in February, it took awhile for all the wooden slab seats in the motorboats to get occupied. Then the engine stalled en route. But the young men manning the boats are skilled maneuverers. At the beach, a man insisted on following my guest and me, possibly looking for unofficial guide work. Other locals intervened, after which a small fight broke out and dissipated — all within a few minutes. Even for a local like me, Lagos can throw surprises. You move to an area but only discover a delightful pub around the corner after six months. You finally hear of an Italian restaurant only when a friend flies in from a different state. You've never tried the fresh soups and jollof at a swank hotel in Ikoyi because, as your mother might tell you, 'there is rice at home.' The city hosts an abundance of food, beaches and clubs, containing a plethora of experiences across every price point. The key is to embrace the chaos — with some care. There are other beaches in the city — Elegushi, Oniru, Eleko. The list used to include Landmark Beach, but, last year, the government began to demolish the surrounding buildings to make way for a new highway. The public's disagreement with the decision, although futile, spoke, perhaps, to the embrace of beach culture by Lagosians. At least, we still have Tarkwa Bay, where it's not uncommon to find families, couples and a few loners parading the sands on weekends. If you need something, look around and you'll likely find a semiofficial guide to help. During my visit, a man named Nicholas Komboye helped with a few things. 'I've worked as a guide for more than 15 years,' he said after arranging a cool spot for me and my guest. Such a cool spot will set you back a few dollars, which you must change before getting on the motorboats. If you are lucky, you'd be able to pay with a foreign credit or debit card, but your card might not work. So, it is best to hold some naira. With access to the local currency, you can enjoy grilled fish (served with sauce that can be too peppery for non-West Africans), suya (grilled meat), jollof rice, and other local delicacies, depending on the beach you have chosen. My guest and I had some sweet potato fries and grilled fish, which, lucky for him, is spiced within his limits. Freedom Park used to be a prison until it was reimagined as a cultural center of sorts. On certain evenings, you'll find Theo Lawson, the man who redesigned the place and is jokingly referred to as 'Chief Warden,' with a host of his friends. Only a few years ago, it was the hub for some of the city's prominent writers, journalists, musicians and culture diplomats. The pandemic decimated the scene. Riots attending the EndSARS protests led to the razing of the Goethe Institut, the German cultural center that was a 10-minute walk away. The center moved to the upscale Victoria Island, and Freedom Park has spent the last few years recovering. It is now almost back to its pre-pandemic heyday. The venue on Lagos Island still hosts live performances on a stage mounted at its open bar. And on any random night, an assortment of folk musicians can be discovered. Yinka Davies, a singer famous in the 1990s for her strong vocals and jazz stylings, was the master of ceremonies on a recent night. Lawson, she said, 'has conscripted' her. Several acts performed, but the star was Celeste Ojatula, a Yoruba folk singer who told me her inspirations are 'literature, nature, and the eeriness and quiet' of her childhood home. That Ojatula gets a chance to perform here is one of Freedom Park's charms. It is one of the places positioned as an alternative to Lagos's big celebrity and club culture. A spot with a similar vibe to Freedom Park but located in a wealthier environment is Bature Brewery. Being a big lover of the IPA, I heartily recommend the well-named Harmattan Haze. Tourists interested in the Lagos club scene and who don't mind spending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars should visit Quilox and Vaniti, two clubs where sightings of Nigeria's biggest pop stars and their entourages can be expected. For visitors interested in buying African art, an Uber to the Oba Elegushi International Art Market, also known as the Lekki Arts and Crafts Market, will be rewarding. Shops in the market are split in three sections that describe how they are accessed: Open shop, Lockup and VIP with glass-sliding doors. Items on sale include masks, paintings, beads and fabric. One of the first shops in the VIP section is Ayo's Gallery, owned by Ayo Akingbagbohun, who has been in the market for two decades. His wares cut across mediums, but there is no argument over what sells best. 'Carvings and beads sell more,' he said. 'Tourists believe they can go to America for paintings. Paintings are everywhere.' Elsewhere in the market, Chidinma Odufarasin occupies Shop F3, Chizee's Stitches. She sells 'ready-made' clothes and would also sew something for you 'depending on what you want.' Foreigners, many of whom are Chinese and Americans, prefer already-sewn clothes. Tourists who would like to have something specially sewn should come before December or after January; the holiday months are very busy. Some extra warning: the Arts and Crafts Market can be tricky to locate for drivers not familiar with the area. Be patient. You would find a bigger selection of fabric sellers in Balogun Market on Lagos Island, which is far off from the arts and craft market but closer to the city. The section is mostly occupied by women. Margaret Osoata has been selling for over 30 years and 'raised five kids and sisters with money from this shop.' She gets buyers from Mali, Ghana, Benin, India and the Ivory Coast. Balogun Market is a maze, and it's easy to get lost. Here and elsewhere in Lagos, tourists must be aware of landmarks — distinctive buildings, malls, signboards, roundabouts — so they can describe their location to drivers and friends. Public transportation, although cheaper than ride-hailing apps, can be hard to parse if you are only in Lagos for a few days. Google Maps works well enough for popular streets, but drivers might need help in reaching some parts of the city. Over the years, I have heard newcomers to the city say they have been advised to stick to the island and avoid the mainland unless they are heading to the airport. Big mistake. The U.S. State Department urges Americans to 'reconsider travel' to Nigeria. However, as with many major cities around the world, Lagos has neighborhoods that have earned a less-than-savory reputation. But these are pockets, not entire regions. Ikeja, Yaba and Surulere are areas that are just as safe as any place on the island. And in these areas, you will find great Nigerian cuisine, hear trending Nigerian pop and fuji tracks, and meet some of the city's most down-to-earth people. In Yaba, an area often described as Silicon Valley of Lagos, go to Banilux, an open bar where, on weekends, English Premier League soccer and Afrobeats meet. Go between 6:30 p.m. and 8 to get hot grilled catfish. The first few batches are usually best — and quite spicy. But if you're sensitive to heat, you might be able to talk to the young men in charge to spare your tongue. Banilux comes alive by night. In the daytime, I recommend Eni Afe Lamo, a restaurant on Old Yaba Road that is part of the area's best kept secrets. Juicy cuts of beef, fish, and goat meat await. The popular Sabo Market, smaller than Balogun Market, is not far from Banilux. Go there around midday or early evening to change some money to naira. For the best rates, visit an actual shop and avoid the men calling you to change money by the roadside. This is a broad currency exchange rule in Lagos. While Sabo is largely safe in currency dealings, in other parts of Lagos, transacting dollars by the roadside is the purview of con men and tricksters. With some cash in your hands, you can visit the many bars and restaurants in Surulere, Yakoyo and Ofadaboy among them. Amala (not my thing) and pounded yam (my favorite) are usually available, each referred to as a 'swallow.' They are eaten with soups such as okra, egusi and ewedu. Take out a day and try each. By the end, I like to believe you'll understand why Nigerian chefs are finding fame in the United Kingdom and the U.S. Of course, food isn't Nigeria's greatest contemporary culture export. That position is occupied by music. And the country's greatest musician remains Fela Kuti, whose genre of music, Afrobeat (not Afrobeats) can be heard at the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja. Fela's eldest son, Femi Kuti, is usually scheduled to perform once a month — if he isn't off touring Europe. At over 60, the man still performs vigorously, often with manic energy. On a recent Sunday night, Femi's sister Yeni Kuti was watching him perform. Near her was a Dutch diplomat. On the stage, Kuti's beaded dancers shook and swiveled, the stage's multicolored lights bouncing off their hips. In front of the stage, a swelling mosh pit bustled with people rocking. The venue's sound leaves a lot to be desired, but no one is coming to the Shrine for excellent acoustics. You come for the energy. You come for the atmosphere. You come to see a specific slice of Lagos. As Kuti himself said on this night, 'If I build it like the philharmonic hall, can you afford it?' In other words, Shut up and dance. This is Lagos. Oris Aigbokhaevbolo is a writer based in Lagos who runs Film Efiko and Efiko Magazine. Follow him on X @catchoris.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
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Spaniards turn water pistols on visitors in Barcelona and Mallorca to protest mass tourism
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Protesters used water pistols against unsuspecting tourists in Barcelona and on the Spanish island of Mallorca on Sunday as demonstrators marched to demand a rethink of an economic model they believe is fueling a housing crunch and erasing the character of their hometowns. The marches were part of the first coordinated effort by activists concerned with the ills of overtourism across southern Europe's top destinations. While several thousands rallied in Mallorca in the biggest gathering of the day, hundreds more gathered in other Spanish cities, as well as in Venice, Italy, and Portugal's capital, Lisbon. 'The squirt guns are to bother the tourists a bit,' Andreu Martínez said in Barcelona with a chuckle after spritzing a couple seated at an outdoor café. 'Barcelona has been handed to the tourists. This is a fight to give Barcelona back to its residents.' Martínez, a 42-year-old administrative assistant, is one of a growing number of residents who are convinced that tourism has gone too far in the city of 1.7 million people. Barcelona hosted 15.5 million visitors last year eager to see Antoni Gaudí's La Sagrada Familia basilica and the Las Ramblas promenade. Martínez says his rent has risen over 30% as more apartments in his neighborhood are rented to tourists for short-term stays. He said there is a knock-on effect of traditional stores being replaced by businesses catering to tourists, like souvenir shops, burger joints and 'bubble tea' spots. 'Our lives, as lifelong residents of Barcelona, are coming to an end," he said. "We are being pushed out systematically.' Around 5,000 people gathered in Palma, the capital of Mallorca, with some toting water guns as well and chanting 'Everywhere you look, all you see are tourists.' The tourists who were targeted by water blasts laughed it off. The Balearic island is a favorite for British and German sun-seekers. It has seen housing costs skyrocket as homes are diverted to the short-term rental market. Hundreds more marched in Granada, in southern Spain, and in the northern city of San Sebastián, as well as the island of Ibiza. In Venice, a couple of dozen protesters unfurled a banner calling for a halt to new hotel beds in the lagoon city in front of two recently completed structures, one in the popular tourist destination's historic center where activists say the last resident, an elderly woman, was kicked out last year. 'That's lovely' Protesters in Barcelona blew whistles and held up homemade signs saying 'One more tourist, one less resident.' They stuck stickers saying 'Citizen Self-Defense,' in Catalan, and 'Tourist Go Home,' in English, with a drawing of a water pistol on the doors of hotels and hostels. There was tension when the march stopped in front of a large hostel, where a group emptied their water guns at two workers positioned in the entrance. They also set off firecrackers next to the hostel and opened a can of pink smoke. One worker spat at the protesters as he slammed the hostel's doors. American tourists Wanda and Bill Dorozenski were walking along Barcelona's main luxury shopping boulevard where the protest started. They received a squirt or two, but she said it was actually refreshing given the 83 degree Fahrenheit (28.3 degrees Celsius) weather. 'That's lovely, thank you sweetheart,' Wanda said to the squirter. 'I am not going to complain. These people are feeling something to them that is very personal, and is perhaps destroying some areas (of the city).' There were also many marchers with water pistols who didn't fire at bystanders and instead solely used them to spray themselves to keep cool. Crackdown on Airbnb Cities across the world are struggling with how to cope with mass tourism and a boom in short-term rental platforms, like Airbnb, but perhaps nowhere has surging discontent been so evident as in Spain, where protesters in Barcelona first took to firing squirt guns at tourists during a protest last summer. There has also been a confluence of the pro-housing and anti-tourism struggles in Spain, whose 48 million residents welcomed record 94 million international visitors in 2024. When thousands marched through the streets of Spain's capital in April, some held homemade signs saying 'Get Airbnb out of our neighborhoods.' Spanish authorities are striving to show they hear the public outcry while not hurting an industry that contributes 12% of gross domestic product. Last month, Spain's government ordered Airbnb to remove almost 66,000 holiday rentals from the platform that it said had violated local rules. Spain's Consumer Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy told The Associated Press shortly after the crackdown on Airbnb that the tourism sector 'cannot jeopardize the constitutional rights of the Spanish people,' which enshrines their right to housing and well-being. Carlos Cuerpo, the economy minister, said in a separate interview that the government is aware it must tackle the unwanted side effects of mass tourism. The boldest move was made by Barcelona's town hall, which stunned Airbnb and other services who help rent properties to tourists by announcing last year the elimination of all 10,000 short-term rental licenses in the city by 2028. That sentiment was back in force on Sunday, where people held up signs saying 'Your Airbnb was my home.' 'Taking away housing' The short-term rental industry, for its part, believes it is being treated unfairly. 'I think a lot of our politicians have found an easy scapegoat to blame for the inefficiencies of their policies in terms of housing and tourism over the last 10, 15, 20 years,' Airbnb's general director for Spain and Portugal, Jaime Rodríguez de Santiago recently told the AP. That argument either hasn't trickled down to the ordinary residents of Barcelona, or isn't resonating. Txema Escorsa, a teacher in Barcelona, doesn't just oppose Airbnb in his home city, he has ceased to use it even when traveling elsewhere, out of principle. 'In the end, you realize that this is taking away housing from people,' he said. ___ AP Videojournalist Hernán Múñoz in Barcelona, and Associated Press writer Colleen Barry in Venice, Italy, contributed. Joseph Wilson, The Associated Press
Travel Weekly
6 hours ago
- Travel Weekly
Protestors spray tourists with water guns in Spain
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- Protesters used water pistols against unsuspecting tourists in Barcelona and on the Spanish island of Mallorca on Sunday as demonstrators marched to demand a rethink of an economic model they believe is fueling a housing crunch and erasing the character of their hometowns. The marches were part of a coordinated effort by activists concerned about overtourism across southern Europe's top destinations. While several thousands rallied in Mallorca in the biggest gathering of the day, hundreds more gathered in other Spanish cities, as well as in Venice and Lisbon. "The squirt guns are to bother the tourists a bit," Andreu Martinez said in Barcelona with a chuckle after spritzing a couple seated at an outdoor café. "Barcelona has been handed to the tourists. This is a fight to give Barcelona back to its residents." Martinez, a 42-year-old administrative assistant, is one of a growing number of residents who are convinced that tourism has gone too far in the city of 1.7 million people. Barcelona hosted 15.5 million visitors last year eager to see Antoni Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia basilica and Las Ramblas promenade. Martinez says his rent has risen over 30% as more apartments in his neighborhood are rented to tourists for short-term stays. He said there is a knock-on effect of traditional stores being replaced by businesses catering to tourists, like souvenir shops, burger joints and "bubble tea" spots. "Our lives, as lifelong residents of Barcelona, are coming to an end," he said. "We are being pushed out systematically." Around 5,000 people gathered in Palma, the capital of Mallorca, with some toting water guns as well and chanting, "Everywhere you look, all you see are tourists." The tourists who were targeted by water blasts laughed it off. The Balearic island is a favorite for British and German sun-seekers. It has seen housing costs skyrocket as homes are diverted to the short-term rental market. Hundreds more marched in Granada, in southern Spain, and in the northern city of San Sebastian, as well as the island of Ibiza. In Venice, a couple of dozen protesters unfurled a banner calling for a halt to new hotel beds in the lagoon city in front of two recently completed structures, one in the popular tourist destination's historic center where activists say the last resident, an elderly woman, was kicked out last year. Protesters in Barcelona blew whistles and held up homemade signs saying, "One more tourist, one less resident." They stuck stickers saying "Citizen Self-Defense," in Catalan, and "Tourist Go Home," in English, with a drawing of a water pistol on the doors of hotels and hostels. There was tension when the march stopped in front of a large hostel, where a group emptied their water guns at two workers positioned in the entrance. They also set off firecrackers next to the hostel and opened a can of pink smoke. One worker spat at the protesters as he slammed the hostel's doors. American tourists Wanda and Bill Dorozenski were walking along Barcelona's main luxury shopping boulevard where the protest started. They received a squirt or two, but she said it was actually refreshing given the 83 degree Fahrenheit weather. "That's lovely, thank you sweetheart," Wanda said to the squirter. "I am not going to complain. These people are feeling something to them that is very personal, and is perhaps destroying some areas (of the city)." There were also many marchers with water pistols who didn't fire at bystanders and instead solely used them to spray themselves to keep cool. Crackdown on Airbnb Cities across the world are struggling with how to cope with mass tourism and a boom in short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, but perhaps nowhere has surging discontent been so evident as in Spain, where protesters in Barcelona first took to firing squirt guns at tourists during a protest last summer. There has also been a confluence of the pro-housing and anti-tourism struggles in Spain, a country of 48 million residents that drew a record 94 million international visitors in 2024. When thousands marched through the streets of Spain's capital in April, some held homemade signs saying "Get Airbnb out of our neighborhoods." Spanish authorities are striving to show they hear the public outcry while not hurting an industry that contributes 12% of gross domestic product. Last month, Spain's government ordered Airbnb to remove almost 66,000 holiday rentals from the platform that it said had violated local rules. Spain's consumer rights minister, Pablo Bustinduy, told the Associated Press shortly after the crackdown on Airbnb that the tourism sector "cannot jeopardize the constitutional rights of the Spanish people," which enshrines their right to housing and well-being. Carlos Cuerpo, the economy minister, said in a separate interview that the government is aware it must tackle the unwanted side effects of mass tourism. The boldest move was made by Barcelona's town hall, which stunned Airbnb and other home-rental services by announcing last year the elimination of all 10,000 short-term rental licenses in the city by 2028. That sentiment was back in force on Sunday, where people held up signs saying, "Your Airbnb was my home." The short-term rental industry, for its part, believes it is being treated unfairly. "I think a lot of our politicians have found an easy scapegoat to blame for the inefficiencies of their policies in terms of housing and tourism over the last 10, 15, 20 years," Airbnb's general director for Spain and Portugal, Jaime Rodriguez de Santiago, recently told the AP. That argument either hasn't trickled down to the ordinary residents of Barcelona or isn't resonating. Txema Escorsa, a teacher in Barcelona, doesn't just oppose Airbnb in his home city, he has ceased to use it even when traveling, out of principle. "In the end, you realize that this is taking away housing from people," he said.
