As overtourism increases in many other European cities, locals are taking to the streets. So far, they’re just complaining about the increasing swarm of travelers. Barcelona and Amsterdam have seen protests against this change. Further scene from protests in demonstration CLOSE These protests describe deteriorating relationship between residents and visitors. Palmero, a visitor to Mexico City, was unaware of the protests occurring all around him. Later that day during his exploration, he found himself caught between a wall of police and an advancing crowd shouting, “Gringos fuera!
Cities such as Barcelona have emerged as vibrant centers of these strikes. They have expanded in both size and frequency as tourism levels are getting back to pre-pandemic levels. Local observer Bernadett Papp, of the European Andalusian Institute, has witnessed the escalation in locals’ responses to overtourism. This transition has happened just as tourists have returned to the region. In mid-July 2024, protests flooded Barcelona. As tourists tried to pass through, protestors tossed objects, squirted pedestrians with water pistols and canned beverages, and cordoned off hotel lobbies and sidewalk cafes with police-esque tape.
Doug Lansky, an advocate of what he calls “managed tourism,” emphasizes the need to have local voices at the table when discussing what policies are needed to manage tourism. He argues that cities of all sizes stand to benefit immensely from timed entries to attractions. Setting and enforcing visitor caps will be an important step towards addressing the damage caused by overtourism. Lansky stated, “If these residents had a seat at the table — any table — where they felt that their voices were being heard locally, then they wouldn’t have to march in the streets.”
The violent eviction has sparked protests that are reflective of a growing anger movement throughout Europe, including Spain. Venice, Italy and Lisbon, Portugal are experiencing vocal protests — even violence — aimed at visitors. First, we’re hearing from local people who are raising alarms and pointing out the detrimental effects of tourism on their communities. As Tsukanova told us, the more overtourism grows in a community, the more community members themselves react to it. She’s convinced that protests are the best way to put pressure on local decision-makers by raising awareness. They encourage travelers to be better.
Yet despite these protests, the tourism industry—as measured by both visitor numbers and spending—has persisted in its remarkable rebounding. Anger boiled over into protests in all of Spain in 2024. Consequently, tourist arrivals spat by 4.1% during the initial seven months of 2025. This new dynamic compounds the already difficult situation for residents who continue to try to seek the balance between the positive and negative impacts of tourism.
Palmero noted his mixed feelings about tourism when he observed the protests during his visit: “People … want to go and experience these beautiful and wonderful cultures around the world.” As he outlined such progress, he noted how tourism can be a double-edged sword for communities on the front lines. “We affect the thing that we’re trying to experience in a negative way,” he reflected.
In reaction to these growing challenges, community advocates in destinations across the country are campaigning for reforms in public policies that govern tourism. Lionel Saul proposes reducing short-term rentals and imposing significantly higher taxes on tourists as potential solutions to alleviate the pressures of overtourism. Papp pointed to the increasingly fragmented nature of tourism public policymaking. This obfuscation isn’t just confusing, it complicates residents’ efforts to identify the appropriate decision-makers with whom to express their concerns.
The future of the tourism boom now hangs in the balance, as protests continue to shake cities such as Barcelona and Mallorca. These choices have left residents increasingly unhappy. These developments underscore the urgent imperative to adopt sustainable tourism practices that prioritize the quality of the visitor experience alongside the health and safety of the host community.