'Overtourism' in Barcelona: City sees escalating tensions between locals and tourists

World
Europe

02:45

Barcelona is one of world's most popular tourist destinations. Tourism in the city has been rising steadily over the past years, which has triggered tensions between local residents and incoming tourists. Locals say the industry has become a major problem in the city. CGTN's Al Goodman has the story.

On the main beach in Barcelona. Many northern Europeans here, at one of the Mediterranean's most popular urban destinations. Nine million tourists annually in recent years, almost double the population of greater Barcelona.

Yet even some of them, like these friends from Finland, have heard complaints about too many tourists in Barcelona.

JANNI TAANILA FINNISH TOURIST "If I be from Barcelona I'd agree that there's a bit too much tourism and Airbnbs and everything."

Barcelona already has restrictions on hotel growth, making it harder and more costly to open new ones or renovate existing rooms.

But it's not just Barcelona's issue, say activists from 14 southern European destinations, including Venice and Lisbon, who met here to join forces against so-called over-tourism.

LEONOR DUARTE LISBON ACTIVIST "We are improving our scale of fight for regulation in tourism and for liveability in our cities. Our quality of life must improve and not to get worse with tourism."

But this spokesman for three thousand Barcelona restaurants and bars says tourism is just fine.

RAFAEL PALLEROLS SPOKESMAN, BARCELONA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION "The message we can't give is that Barcelona does not welcome tourism. To the contrary, Barcelona welcomes tourism."

These British visitors sitting nearby, agree.

BIANCA LANARIO BRITISH TOURIST "I think there's a lot of people here, but it's all part of the fun, isn't it ?"

Not in this neighborhood near the beach -- a flash point of tension between tourists and residents, who hang banners to show they're locals.

AL GOODMAN BARCELONA The past few summers, residents here have come out to protest, banging pots and pans against the tourists who hold late night parties in the numerous holiday rentals in these buildings. That tension is expected again this summer.

This retired mechanic has lived his whole life on this street, lately with a lot of sleepless nights.

JORGE BUENO BARCELONA RESIDENT "They come back at 3 or 4 in the morning, play loud music and when you ask them to stop, you have problems."

But they want to see Barcelona -- its iconic, unfinished church. And its Gothic Quarter in the city center. And its Mediterranean lifestyle.

It took the city years to build up its tourism to this level. Now, struggling with success. Al Goodman, CGTN, Barcelona.