Overtourism has escalated into a severe issue in Spain, with locals and tourists now in conflict over beach real estate and rising living costs. Domestic tourism has dropped by 800,000 visitors, while foreign visitors have increased by 1.94 million, putting significant pressure on local communities. Wendy Davila, a local Spaniard, expressed frustration over the rising costs and fewer vacation options, as the country’s coastal areas struggle with overcrowding and housing prices.
Protesters in Barcelona and Mallorca have taken to the streets, using water guns to target tourists in an effort to ‘cool town’ the influx of visitors. These actions highlight the growing frustration among locals facing soaring rents and a strain on infrastructure. According to the price-monitoring firm Tecnitasa, beachfront rental prices have surged by 20.3% since mid-2023, with most bookings already made for the summer season. This trend underscores the financial burden on both local residents and the tourism industry.
Spain’s tourism minister reported a record 94 million international travelers in 2024, raising concerns about the long-term viability of the sector for local residents. Juan Pedro Aznar, a professor at Esade business school, warned that the purchasing power of Spaniards is being outpaced by foreign tourists, leading to displacement effects. For example, in Cadiz, the arrival of cruise ships doubles the population, overwhelming local services and amenities. The city of Barcelona had previously planned to implement a ban on short-term rental apartments by 2028, but the issue remains unresolved as the number of such rentals has stagnated at around 10,000 since 2014. These challenges reflect a broader global trend of overtourism, as Spain grapples with the balance between tourism revenue and local sustainability.