**The Rising Tension Between Residents and Tourism in Barcelona**

**In recent protests, Barcelona residents expressed their frustration at the impact of skyrocketing tourism on their daily lives and housing, sparking a debate on the sustainability of the city's booming tourism industry.**

As protesters marched through the streets of Barcelona on Sunday, the atmosphere turned tense when they confronted tourists with chants of "Go Home!" Many locals expressed their growing discontent with the influx of visitors, which they believe is eroding their quality of life. Cafés filled with bemused couples were splashed with water, while luxury shops found themselves plastered with stickers illustrating the community's resentment toward the tourism boom.

Barcelona's significance as a global tourist destination cannot be overlooked; the city attracted over 15 million visitors last year—close to ten times its local population. However, this massive surge in tourism has left many residents, like Marina, fearing they are gradually being pushed out of their homes. Holding her sign reading "Your AirBnB used to be my home," she echoed the sentiments of numerous locals who argue that skyrocketing rents fueled by short-term rentals, such as Airbnb, and wealthy expats have made basic living unaffordable.

"This is not about banning tourism altogether," Marina explained. Rather, she and other residents advocate for a balanced approach to tourism management as they contend with the strain on housing and local resources. Young residents are not the only ones affected; many elderly citizens, such as the 80-year-old Pepi Viu, have recently lost their homes due to escalating rents, lamenting the lack of support amidst their struggles.

Though some locals are fighting to stay in their homes, such as Joan Alvarez—a long-term resident facing eviction—others, like landlord Jesus Pereda, argue that their rental properties help distribute tourists and the economic benefits they bring throughout the city. Pereda contends that the problems of affordability stem more from an influx of remote workers than from tourists, asserting that the proposed ban on short-term rentals by local authorities will exacerbate the city's housing crisis.

The protests have ignited dialogue on the impact of tourism across Spain and beyond, as residents in similar tourist hotspots across Portugal and Italy voice their concerns. While the Spanish government anticipates a record number of tourists this summer, the challenges of balancing economic benefits with residents' rights and needs remain contentious and unresolved in the ever-evolving discussion of sustainable tourism.