Residents of Barcelona took to the streets this weekend to express their frustrations with the increasing influx of mass tourism in the city. Approximately 2,800 people, according to Catalan News, rallied in the city center on Saturday evening, marching towards popular tourist spots and demanding that visitors go home.

The protesters highlighted the detrimental impact that mass tourism has had on Barcelona, including higher costs of living and housing, making it increasingly difficult for locals to reside in the city. Neighborhood associations, housing activists, and environmentalists joined the demonstration, claiming that the "enormous negative impacts" on employment, society, and the environment have made it "impossible" for locals to sustain a life in Barcelona.

Apart from the strain on living conditions, organizers argued that the surge in tourism, with around 12 million visitors annually, has put pressure on health services, waste management, and water supplies. They expressed concerns regarding the impact on the city's infrastructure and resources due to the rising number of tourists, many of whom arrive via cruise ships.

In response to mounting concerns, Barcelona's Mayor Jaume Collboni recently announced a plan to eradicate all short-term rentals in the city by 2028. However, housing activists have criticized the proposed legislation, fearing it will lead to the construction of more hotels instead.

Barcelona is not alone in facing these challenges. The Canary Islands, owned by Spain and located just off the coast of Africa, also witnessed activism against new hotel developments. Activists staged a 20-day hunger strike to protest against the construction, which was temporarily halted due to alleged environmental breaches. They urged the government to reconsider plans for expanding hotel construction across the islands, emphasizing the importance of preserving the residents' way of life.

Other European tourist destinations have also taken steps to curb the negative effects of mass tourism. Florence, Italy, introduced a ban on new short-term rentals last year to address a rapid increase in Airbnb listings. Similarly, Venice, Italy, implemented a controversial 5 euro "day-tripper" entry fee to the city center, which drew criticism for not sufficiently discouraging visitors while failing to address the limited supply of apartments for residents.

As cities like Barcelona grapple with the challenges posed by mass tourism, debates over balancing the economic benefits of the industry with the need to preserve local residents' quality of life and maintain the authenticity of these destinations continue to intensify.