Spain’s anti-tourism sentiment is extending beyond the summer season and into the winter, as vacationers continue to seek out warm destinations. Protests against over-tourism are planned for November in Seville, while locals in San Sebastian have already taken to the streets under the banner ‘We are in danger; degrow tourism!’. Thousands turned out last Sunday in the Canary Islands. This year has seen a watershed in attitudes to tourism in Spain and elsewhere in Europe, as the post-Covid travel boom has seen visitor numbers equal and often surpass records set before the pandemic.
Spain is expected to welcome over 90 million foreign guests this year, with consultancies forecasting that annual arrivals could reach 115 million by 2040, placing Spain ahead of current world leader France. Anti-tourist protests began in April in the Canary Islands, with hunger strikes, water pistol attacks on tourists and ridicule for tourism slogans. Spain’s tourism industry represents 13% of GDP. In 2021, it has played a critical role in fuelling economic recovery.
This year’s arguments mirror summer disputes. San Sebastian-based civic association Bizilagunekin accuses tourism of being an economic model “which is choking” communities. Asier Basurto, a Bizilagunekin member, said all the city’s services had been put at the command of the tourism industry. Rental increases, caused partly by short-stay accommodation, are pricing locals away from the city centre. In turn, tourism critics argue that budget accommodation is crucial for “alternative” tourism to thrive, though critics of short-term rentals question their impact on housing prices.
Debate has focused on tourism infrastructure in various locations. Barcelona is banning short-term tourist apartment rentals from 2028, while Palma has restricted how many cruise liners can dock in its port. In Seville, a new charge could be implemented for those entering the city’s Plaza de España square
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