Water Gun Protests in Spain: Locals Stand Against Mass Tourism and Soaring Housing Costs

Frustrated residents in Spain, alongside other popular European locations, rallied on Sunday to voice concerns over the influx of tourists impacting housing prices and forcing locals to leave.

In a striking form of protest, some Barcelona inhabitants and those on Mallorca island playfully sprayed tourists with water guns.

A Coordinated Pushback Across Southern Europe

This movement marked the initial unified effort by activists in southern European tourist hotspots to challenge the adverse effects of excessive tourism. Thousands gathered in Mallorca—one of the largest demonstrations—while numerous others protested in Spanish cities, as well as in Venice, Italy, and Lisbon, Portugal.

Local resident Andreu Martínez humorously admitted the use of squirt guns was meant to mildly irritate visitors, saying Barcelona has been overrun by tourists and locals want it returned to its rightful residents.

Martínez's concerns reflect a wider sentiment among Barcelona's 1.7 million citizens, as the city hosted a staggering 15.5 million visitors last year drawn to its iconic sites. Consequently, rental costs have surged over 30%, displacing long-term residents and altering neighborhood landscapes toward tourist-oriented businesses.

The Escalating Cost of Living

In Palma, Mallorca's capital, around 5,000 protesters used water guns and chanted against the tourist influx, which has contributed to skyrocketing property prices due to short-term rentals. Similar actions occurred in Granada, San Sebastián, and Ibiza.

Meanwhile, in Venice, demonstrators called for a cessation of new hotel accommodations as areas lose their local populations to tourism.

A Battle to Reclaim Cities

Barcelona protestors brandished signs reading 'One more tourist, one fewer resident', affixing messages of resistance onto hotels and hostels, while symbolic clashes with hostel workers intensified the demonstration.

American tourists like Wanda and Bill Dorozenski encountered the water gun protests on their walks and reacted with understanding, acknowledging the locals' grievances.

For some demonstrators, the water guns served a dual purpose: as a symbol of protest and a way to cool themselves under the hot sun.

Global Challenges with Local Impacts

Cities worldwide grapple with mass tourism and the boom in short-term rentals, but Spain's situation is distinct, with the introduction of water gun protests as a striking symbol of local discontent.

Earlier this year, thousands in Madrid protested, critiquing housing policy impacts driven by platforms like Airbnb, highlighting a growing conflict.

Government Response and Regulations

Spanish officials are caught between supporting the economically vital tourism industry, which accounts for 12% of GDP, and addressing citizens' housing rights. Recent government actions against platforms breaching local norms reflect this balancing act.

Bold steps include Barcelona's decision to revoke short-term rental licenses by 2028, sparking debates among stakeholders.

Solutions and Continuing Debates

While local residents continue to push for policy reforms, the short-term rental sector argues for fair treatment in policy discourse.

Txema Escorsa, a Barcelona teacher, boycotts such platforms out of principle, highlighting the significant societal impacts perceived by everyday citizens.

Recent efforts to utilize tourism taxes in sustainability projects underscore an ongoing struggle to manage tourism's dual blessings and burdens.

Activist Agnes Rodriguez critiqued reliance on tourism-driven projects, urging a focus on public welfare independent of tourist demands.