Protesters in Barcelona last July used toy water guns to target tourists. The playful act escalated into a global incident as images of visitors being squirted at outdoor cafes circulated worldwide. This stunt was part of a broader protest against overtourism, with locals chanting “tourists go home” in response to years of mounting pressure on the city. The incident shed light on the simmering tensions in Barcelona, mirroring similar challenges faced by other popular destinations grappling with the impacts of mass tourism.
Barcelona, a city heavily reliant on tourism for its economy and employment, finds itself at a crossroads. While the industry brings in significant revenue and jobs, there is a growing concern over the negative effects of overcrowding and gentrification on local residents. Balancing the benefits of tourism with the need to preserve the city’s identity and livability presents a complex challenge for officials.
Looking ahead to the upcoming summer season, Barcelona is working to address these issues and project a more welcoming image to visitors. Efforts to manage tourism growth and mitigate its adverse effects are underway, although there are fears that the city’s reputation for overtourism may deter some travelers. As Barcelona grapples with these competing demands, the delicate balance between catering to tourists and safeguarding the interests of its residents remains a key priority for city officials.
A significant moment for Barcelona was reached in a turning point that saw an influx of tourists, with 1.6 million cruise ship passengers passing through the city as reported by the Port of Barcelona in 2024. Most visitors disembark in the morning, explore the city, and return to their ships by late afternoon, creating crowds in places like La Rambla street and the historic Gothic quarter, which has caused frustration among Barcelona’s locals. The high volume of tourists has overwhelmed attractions like Park Guëll and the Sagrada Familia Basilica neighborhood, with the latter seeing daily visits from 50,000 tourists in addition to its 50,000 residents during the summer months.
To address the issue, the Catalan regional government proposed doubling the tourist tax to over $16 (15 euros) per tourist per night, with a portion of the revenue aimed at alleviating the city’s housing shortage. Short-term rental apartments, often used for tourism, have contributed to a surge in housing prices, making it difficult for residents to find affordable housing.
Despite efforts to regulate tourism with measures like the increased tourist tax, critics argue that it only legitimizes the unsustainable level of tourism in Barcelona. Protests against excessive tourism have taken place, with ongoing concerns about the city becoming a “giant tourist trap”. At popular sites, changes are being implemented to manage tourist influx, such as the installation of sensors along La Rambla to monitor pedestrian traffic patterns.
Overall, the city continues to grapple with the challenges posed by mass tourism and the need to strike a balance between economic benefits and the well-being of its residents.
Concerns have been raised by residents of Barcelona regarding the crowded areas in the city, particularly along La Rambla. Certain sections, such as near Plaza de Catalunya and the port, have been identified as congested spots. The lack of crowd management on La Rambla has been highlighted by industry experts, including Will Gluckin from Get Your Guide, a Berlin-based travel platform. Gluckin expressed concerns about the street becoming a tourist trap due to the presence of subpar tourist shops and fast-food establishments.
The popular pedestrian thoroughfare, La Rambla, continues to attract tourists despite ongoing street improvements to widen the central pedestrian area and reduce vehicle traffic lanes. Entry fees for popular attractions in Barcelona, such as Sagrada Familia and Park Guëll, have transitioned to advance online ticket sales to manage visitor numbers. These sites, designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, have experienced high tourist volumes, with a significant portion of visitors coming from outside Spain.
Efforts to manage tourism infrastructure in Barcelona include the recent opening of a new cruise ship terminal exclusively for MSC Cruises. The city plans to consolidate the current seven cruise terminals to five through negotiations, with some concessions set to expire in 2029. MSC Cruises emphasizes responsible tourism practices, providing advance notice of ship arrivals and passenger details to local authorities to support the local economy and job market.
Barcelona faces challenges in managing the influx of tourists, not only at the cruise port but also in areas like La Rambla and the city’s licensed tourist apartments. Mayor Jaume Collboni announced plans to revoke permits for the 10,000 licensed tourist apartments by 2028 as part of efforts to address the impact of mass tourism on the city.
The push for more affordable housing continues in Barcelona, but faces opposition from the city’s tourist apartments association, Apartur. They are demanding substantial compensation for owners, fearing an increase in unlicensed tourist apartments. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s airport, which handled a record 55 million passengers in 2024, is under discussion for expansion due to reaching saturation levels. The airport offers connections to around 200 destinations globally, with a significant percentage in Europe and eight in the United States.
Both the Spanish government and Catalan officials are exploring ways to increase airport capacity while preserving the surrounding environment, which includes protected marshlands and bird habitats. Barcelona’s tourism appeal has drawn attention even at the academic level, with American university students studying the impact of tourism on the city during a semester-abroad program.
Sean Thompson and Andrew Durkin, students from Utica, New York, and Scranton, Pennsylvania, respectively, shared their experiences visiting Barcelona and noted the city’s challenges with overtourism. Despite a quieter visit in February, they anticipate larger crowds returning for the summer season. Deputy Mayor Valls acknowledged the struggle to manage the influx of tourists during peak times, emphasizing the inevitability of increased tourism. To receive more CNN news and newsletters, sign up on CNN.com.
