Spain: Angry Barcelona Citizens Target Tourists With Water Guns In Mass Protest

Barcelona citizens are expressing their frustration with mass tourism by targeting tourists with water guns. Over the weekend, thousands of protesters marched throughout the city, chanting slogans such as “Barcelona is not for sale,” “Tourists go home,” and “Reduce tourism now.” The protest on July 6 saw around 2,800 people gathering in a waterfront district, advocating for a new economic model to limit the millions of tourists who visit annually.

The demonstrations come amid growing discontent over rising housing costs, rents, and prices of goods, which locals attribute to the surge in tourism. Last year, Barcelona hosted over 12 million visitors, exacerbating these issues. Additionally, the region is grappling with water shortages linked to climate change, further fueling resentment towards tourists. This protest is part of a broader trend in Spain, where residents are increasingly vocal about the negative impacts of tourism on their quality of life.

In recent times , Spain has witnessed many protests relating to issues of cost of living- housing and rents , goods and services , water supply in the  northeastern coastal city.