In a series of protests across southern Europe, activists expressed their discontent with mass tourism and its impacts, including high housing costs and environmental degradation. The demonstrations featured symbolic gestures, such as squirt guns in Barcelona and suitcase marches in Genoa, highlighting a growing movement against overtourism.
Protests Erupt Across Europe Against Mass Tourism
Protests Erupt Across Europe Against Mass Tourism
Activists in Italy, Portugal, and Spain are targeting mass tourism as costs rise and environmental concerns mount, using creative demonstrations like squirt guns and suitcase marches.
Protesters against mass tourism poured into the streets of various southern European cities on Sunday, employing quirky tactics like squirt guns and luggage to draw attention to the growing burden of housing costs and environmental consequences associated with tourism.
The protests were notably vibrant in Barcelona, Spain, where thousands of demonstrators attacked the glitzy Golden Mile with signs stating "Tourists go home" and "Tourism is stealing from us." Activists sprayed water at visitors and clashed with hostel staff amidst fireworks and strained police interactions. Concurrently, in Genoa, Italy, participants dragged suitcases across the city’s charming cobblestone paths during what they termed a "noisy stroll." Meanwhile, in Portugal's capital, Lisbon, protestors paraded a homemade effigy of Saint Anthony towards a future site for a high-end hotel.
On the island of Majorca, locals halted a tourist bus with flares and inflammatory banners, solidifying the movement's message: mass tourism is seen as an encroachment on their quality of life. The protests were sparked by a series of workshops held in April by the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification, aiming to address the negative impacts that overtourism has caused in urban environments.
"The general perception is that these tourists have far more financial resources than we do," stated Joan Mas, a 31-year-old waiter residing in Barcelona. He emphasized that the current tourism model often prioritizes profit from the nightlife and commercial services over the needs of local residents. "It's about the real estate and hotel industries, leaving us in the shadows."
As these protests unfold, it becomes clear that discontent around mass tourism is stirring a deeper conversation about community, sustainability, and the long-term implications of catering to an influx of visitors at the expense of local populations.
