Mass tourism troubles hit fever pitch in Barcelona on Saturday as protesters threw items and sprayed travelers with water guns and canned drinks, while shouting "tourists go home."
In 2023, hotel occupancy rates neared 80% in July and August, as the city of 1.6 million people swelled to accommodate more than 4 million visitors, according to the Barcelona City Council.
Paco Freire | Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesBut the delicate dance between locals and visitors had spiraled long before that.
Two tourists on bicycles being stopped in front of a demonstration against mass tourism in Barcelona on July 6, 2024.
Paco Freire | Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images
Persons:
overtourism, Paco Freire, Jaume Collboni, Collboni
Organizations:
Barcelona City, Associated Press, Barcelona City Council, Barcelona Cruise Port, Getty
Locations:
Barcelona, Barceloneta, Spain, France