VIDEO: Barcelona protesters are squirting water at tourists
If you are planning a summer vacation in Barcelona soon, you might want to pack a poncho.
The residents have decided to take a stand against tourism with water guns.
Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain and has been a tourist hotspot for decades.
VOTE: Who is the best Springbok fly-half?
While many tourists love visiting the city with its gothic structures, rich history, and amazing food, locals are fed up with the influx of foreigners.
Barcelona locals have been speaking up about tourism in the city and protesting the mass tourism.
Instead of using violence, the protesters have remained peaceful, using water guns to get their point across.
VIDEO: Retired tennis star shares gross first impression he left on wife
Demonstrators marched through the streets this past weekend, chanting "tourists go home", holding signs that read "Barcelona is not for sale", and spraying water.
This is not the only Spanish city to hold demonstrations against mass tourism as residents of Mallorca and the Canary Islands have also denounced the impact it has had on living costs and quality of life for locals.
READ: This is how much South African police officers earn
Videos of protesters squirting tourists in public spaces with water have been circulating on social media.
Watch here:
According to CNN, the Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turístic says that visitors increase prices in the region and put pressure on public services. They also say that the profits are unfairly distributed.
READ: Marciel Hopkins groet vanjaar 'Boer Soek 'n Vrou'
Official figures for 2023 show almost 26-million visitors stayed overnight in the Barcelona region. This resulted in a spend of €12.75-billion (R235-billion).
Barcelona's mayor, Jaume Collboni, has mentioned certain measures that the city will take to ensure the reduction of mass tourism.
He announced that by they will be increasing the nightly tourist tax, limiting the amount of cruise ships passengers, and putting an end to apartment rentals for tourists by 2028.
This will remove short-term rental licenses for more than 10,000 apartments.
VIDEO: Cape Town winds turns waterfall into a water-fail
Rent in the city has increased 68% over the last decade and the cost of buying a home has gone up by 38%. The removal of the licenses should make housing more affordable for long-term residents.
This is not a new issue.
People have been showcasing the anti-tourism messages on social media for years.
Here is a video from TikTok that was posted in 2022:
@tails.nz Thanks Barcelona, I’ll note that down 🤣🤦🏼♂️ #barcelona #spain #europe #travel #traveltiktok #travelblog #travelvlog #fyp #touristsgohome ♬ I Can't Stop (Ekali Tribute) - Flux Pavilion
People have also shared information online to try and help tourists be more compassionate when visiting the city and tips for being a better tourist:
@localyapper2 Please don’t be stupid💕#barcelona #spain #barcelonaguide #barcelonatips #tourism ♬ sonido original - localyapper
Tune in to 'The Drive with Rob & Roz', on weekdays from 16:00 - 19:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
Main image courtesy of @NetworkNnn/X