Spanish Locals Use Water Guns Against Tourists to Challenge Mass Tourism

Taking to the streets with water pistols, protestors engaged in an unusual demonstration against excessive tourism in Barcelona and Mallorca last Sunday.

As protestors paraded through Barcelona and Mallorca, they targeted unknowing tourists with water guns, highlighting the urgent need to reevaluate a tourism-dependent economy that many locals argue is escalating housing issues and transforming their neighborhoods.

This campaign marked a coordinated movement among activists across southern Europe's tourist hotspots to address the negative impacts of too many visitors. While Mallorca witnessed the largest turnout with thousands marching, similar protests took place in other Spanish regions, as well as in Venice, and Lisbon, Portugal.

In Barcelona, protestor Andreu Martínez jested about lightly spraying a couple seated at an outdoor café, saying, "The water guns are there to pester tourists slightly." He believes, "The city belongs to its residents, and we're fighting to reclaim it."

Martínez, who works in administration and resides in a city vibrant with history, is frustrated by the tourism industry's impact. Last year, Barcelona's 1.7 million inhabitants shared their city with 15.5 million visitors, all keen to marvel at Gaudí's famed architecture.

He personally has faced rent increases of over 30% as more homes become short-term tourist rentals. Martínez remarks on how traditional shops give way to stores catering to visitors, changing the character of cherished communities.

Around 5,000 people in Palma, Mallorca's capital, also displayed water guns, chanting about the overwhelming presence of tourists. Although tourists affected by water blasts found humor in the situation, the housing prices on this popular island have surged significantly due to short-term rentals.

Other demonstrations emerged in Spanish cities like Granada and San Sebastián, as well as in Ibiza, another hotspot reshaped by tourism.

A small group gathered in Venice to protest new hotel developments, pointing towards structures that replaced homes for locals with lodging for transient guests.

Locals Voice Frustrations Through Creative Protests

In Barcelona, protestors, armed with whistles and banners reading messages like 'One more tourist, one less resident,' voiced their discontent. Affixing stickers declaring 'Tourists Go Home,' they underscored the housing crisis exacerbated by tourism.

Tensions rose near a hostel where protestors sprayed employees with water guns, set off firecrackers, and ignited pink smoke. The altercation ended with a worker angrily shutting the hostel's doors.

Even tourists like American couple Wanda and Bill Dorozenski, who became inadvertent targets, recognized the locals' concerns, noting the protest was a representation of more profound grievances about their city’s transformation.

Fighting Back Against Airbnb

Global cities are grappling with the adverse effects of short-term rental services like Airbnb, and Spain has seen heightened demonstrations against them.

Recently, the Spanish government demanded that Airbnb delist tens of thousands of noncompliant holiday accommodations to protect the housing market.

In a bold move, Barcelona's city government announced its decision to abolish around 10,000 short-term rental licenses by 2028 as part of efforts to restore housing accessibility to locals.

The Housing Dilemma

Despite Airbnb asserting that they’re unfairly blamed for larger systemic housing issues, this perspective offers little consolation to residents like teacher Txema Escorsa. He now avoids using such services out of solidarity with those directly affected.

Escorsa observes, "Ultimately, this situation strips housing from those who need it."