It’s well past the August holiday peak, yet the anger directed at over-tourism in Spain is not fading, as vacationers continue to flock to warmer spots during the winter months. On Sunday, residents of San Sebastian in the Basque Country are set to take to the streets, rallying under the slogan: “We are in danger; degrow tourism!” Meanwhile, in November, anti-tourism activists are expected to gather in Seville.
Just last Sunday, thousands participated in protests in the Canary Islands, indicating that this issue is far from resolved. This year appears to be a turning point in how tourism is viewed in Spain and across many parts of Europe. The post-Covid travel boom has not only returned but is also pushing industry numbers to exceed pre-pandemic records. By the end of this year, Spain is projected to welcome over 90 million foreign visitors, with Braintrust consulting predicting arrivals could reach 115 million by 2040, overtaking current leader France.
Protests against tourism surged this year, beginning in April in the Canary Islands, where six activists went on a hunger strike in Tenerife to try and stop two significant tourism developments. The demonstrations have since spread to some of the nation’s most frequented destinations, including the Balearic Islands, the coastal city of Alicante, and Barcelona, where some protesters even squirted tourists with water guns while shouting, “Tourists go home!”
The concerns fueling these protests mirror those raised during the summer months. Bizilagunekin, a civic organization leading the San Sebastian demonstration, articulated a common sentiment: “Tourism, which for a few is the golden goose, is an economic model that is choking the rest of us.” This event caps a series of discussions and initiatives in San Sebastian, collectively known as “October against touristification.”
Asier Basurto, a member of the organizing platform, expressed frustration over what he sees as a rapid “touristification” process over the last decade. “All our city’s services have been put at the orders of the tourism industry,” he said.
He emphasized that the influx of tourists isn’t inherently problematic; rather, it’s the way the city’s infrastructure has adapted to cater to visitors at the expense of residents. Public spaces are designed for short-term visitors, creating precarious job situations in the tourism sector, he adds. Basurto believes that short-term rentals are driving up housing costs, pushing local residents further away from San Sebastian’s historic center. “We’ve had a way of living for generations, where people are connected to one another and newcomers are integrated,” he emphasized. “If we shift to a model where people only visit for five days, it risks turning our community into a soulless theme park devoid of culture.”
The impact of tourism on rental prices feeds into a larger housing crisis facing Spain. The central bank has reported that nearly half of market-rate renters are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. However, with tourism contributing 13% to Spain’s GDP and providing roughly three million jobs, supporters argue the industry plays a vital role in the economy and was pivotal in the country’s recovery after the pandemic.
Rising tensions are highlighted by instances like that at Playa de las Américas in Tenerife on October 20, where video captured tourists sunbathing just meters away from protesters. There have also been disturbing reports in the media about growing hostility, including incidents of tourist apartments in Seville being vandalized.
In response, David Morales, head of tourism for the conservative People’s Party (PP) in the Canary Islands, defended the rights of tourists to enjoy their vacations free from harassment or attacks.
As protests continue beyond summer, there are heightened concerns in destinations like the Canary Islands that attract significant winter tourism. Javier Cabrera, president of the Circle of Entrepreneurs and Professionals in Southern Tenerife (CEST), warned of the dangers of fostering “tourism-phobia” under the guise of legitimate concerns.
To mitigate backlash, various measures are being introduced; for example, Barcelona plans to ban short-term tourist apartments by 2028, Palma de Mallorca has limited cruise ship dockings, and new visitor caps have been established for some natural parks in Tenerife. Additionally, Seville is considering a new entry fee for the popular Plaza de España.
Yet, Asier Basurto remains skeptical, asserting that protests must persist. “Those who advocate for tourism can no longer claim that everything is perfect,” he stated. “Either we implement changes now, or it will be too late.”
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