As European cities continue to struggle with the consequences of overtourism, citizens in Barcelona and Mallorca have taken direct action by using water guns to spray tourists during protests. The demonstrations, which have gained traction in recent months, reflect growing frustration over the impact of mass tourism on local communities. Residents have highlighted how rising rents and the displacement of long-term residents are being exacerbated by the unchecked growth of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb.
Protesters in Barcelona, including Spaniard Andreu Martínez, have expressed anger over the transformation of the city’s economic landscape, where traditional businesses are being replaced by souvenir shops, burger joints, and other tourist-specific outlets. Martínez, who described the water gun incidents as a form of symbolic resistance, emphasized that the city’s housing crisis is a direct result of the influx of visitors. The Spanish government’s recent order to remove 66,000 Airbnb listings for violating local regulations underscores the growing regulatory push against short-term rentals.
Meanwhile, cities like Venice, Norway, and Greece are also implementing measures to manage tourism, including taxes and bans on short-term rentals. These efforts reflect a broader European trend to address the negative impacts of overtourism, which has led to environmental degradation, cultural erosion, and a decline in the quality of life for residents. As tensions continue to rise, the situation highlights the complex balance between economic benefits and the preservation of local communities and environments.