In Mallorca and Barcelona, Spain, protesters demonstrated against overtourism on June 15, 2025, using water pistols to target unsuspecting tourists. The events highlighted rising local frustration over tourism’s impact on housing and the character of neighborhoods. Activists argued that excessive tourism is leading to increased rents and the transformation of local businesses into tourist-centric ones.
In Mallorca, around 5,000 participants chanted slogans emphasizing their desire for a city catering to residents rather than tourists. Andreu Martinez, a local resident, shared his struggles with rising housing costs due to short-term rentals. Similar protests occurred in other Spanish cities and in Venice, Italy, where activists called for a halt to new hotels.
While tourists reacted with humor to the water pistol antics, local sentiments reflect a deep concern over tourism’s effects on community life. Spanish authorities are attempting to balance tourism’s economic benefits with residents’ rights, recently cracking down on illegal short-term rentals. The protests emphasized a growing demand for actionable change in how tourism is managed to protect local residents and their homes.
Source link
