The anti-tourism movement that gained attention in Barcelona is now expanding across southern Europe. Following the large-scale protests seen in recent years, many popular destinations are preparing for another summer of heavy visitor numbers alongside renewed demonstrations.
Barcelona remains a key example, where millions of tourists arrive during peak months, placing strain on the city. While tourism contributes significantly to the local economy, it has also been linked to rising rents and housing shortages, as more apartments are converted into short-term rentals aimed at visitors rather than residents.
Similar concerns are now being raised in other major tourist cities such as Venice and Lisbon. Residents argue that mass tourism is making it harder to afford housing and is changing the character of local neighborhoods. This has led to growing frustration and organized protests across multiple countries in the region.
Some local governments have started introducing measures to manage the situation, including restrictions on short-term rentals, visitor fees in certain cities, and limits on new rental licenses. However, critics say these steps have had limited impact so far and have not significantly reduced pressure on housing or congestion.
Experts suggest the problem is driven by the rapid growth of global tourism, which many cities were not structurally prepared to handle. They argue that instead of simply restricting tourism, authorities may need to spread visitor traffic more evenly across locations and seasons.
Looking ahead, further demonstrations are expected across Europe, and the issue is increasingly being seen not just as a tourism problem, but as a wider debate about how cities balance economic dependence on tourism with the needs of local residents.
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