Anti-Tourism Protests in Spain Continue

Recently, the Spanish city of Malaga made headlines for promoting basic standards for tourists to follow when visiting and participating in local activities. These standards outlined simple expectations such as that they should be dressed appropriately in public places, refrain from littering, keep noise volumes at a considerable level, and be mindful of locals. Though these expectations are nowhere near difficult to uphold, they have been increasingly violated in recent months, causing widespread backlash from Malaga locals who are desperate to preserve their beautiful city and its unique culture. The Malaga Tenants’ Union, a civil society organization that was created with the intention of fighting back against harmful tourist activities, has been particularly motivated recently to reset the standard quality in their city. Over the summer thousands of Malaga locals took to the streets in protest, carrying banners and shouting in unison against tourism and the harm that it causes. Kike España, himself a Malaga local and member of the Malaga Tenants Union, spoke with the BBC on the issue: “The situation is so saturated that Málaga has really reached a turning point at which people feel that the city is collapsing,” he says. He also remarked that tourism makes the city feel like a “theme park.” 

This is part of a larger trend that has existed in Spain this year; in the northern city of Barcelona, which receives approximately 32 million visitors each year, locals took to more direct measures to protest the tourism industry. Certain locals went viral for shooting at visitors with water pistols and yelling at them to leave, while posters with anti-tourism messages could be seen throughout the city outside of windows and atop apartment buildings, according to AP news. Spanish locals continuously point to several problems that have been caused by tourism, perhaps most often the housing crisis that it has caused. Throughout different Spanish cities, owners of apartments are increasingly charging more as the demand for short-term rentals for tourists has gone up, causing housing to become outrageously expensive for local citizens. Unions have formed throughout the country fighting for more affordable housing, such as the one that has gained momentum recently in Malaga. 

Other problems in Spain caused by tourism have been overcrowded streets, with locals citing that they have become “unbearable for residents,” and the discontinuation of small businesses, which have been overrun by larger franchises favored by visitors. The events that have occurred across the country are truly devastating; Spaniards should of course have the fundamental right of feeling safe, comfortable, and protected within their own country, but the wishes of tourists have continuously been prioritized over theirs by the Spanish government. This is absolutely unacceptable. Though this tourism industry is excellent for Spain’s economy, and though most Spaniards want others to enjoy their beautiful country, the current situation with tourists is out of control, which is why it must be addressed.  It is unclear when, or if, issues over tourism will be resolved soon, but it is clear that social organizations are more than willing to continue the fight, so that the needs of locals can be the utmost priority once again.