The backlash against over-tourism in Spain is extending beyond the peak summer months, as tourists continue to seek winter destinations. This weekend, residents in San Sebastian, a city in the Basque Country, plan to demonstrate under the slogan “We are in danger; degrow tourism!” Anti-tourism protests are also scheduled in Seville in November, following a large demonstration in the Canary Islands last weekend, indicating persistent discontent.
This year has seen a significant shift in attitudes toward tourism across Spain and other European countries, with the post-Covid travel boom pushing visitor numbers to surpass pre-pandemic levels. Spain is expected to welcome over 90 million foreign tourists by year’s end, with forecasts suggesting arrivals could reach 115 million by 2040, potentially overtaking France as the world’s top destination.
Anti-tourism sentiment has grown since April, when protests erupted in the Canary Islands, including a hunger strike in Tenerife to oppose major tourism projects. Demonstrations have since spread to popular destinations like the Balearic Islands, Alicante, the southern coast, and Barcelona, where activists have resorted to extreme measures, such as dousing tourists with water pistols while chanting, “Tourists go home!”
Organizers of the upcoming protest in San Sebastian, the civic group Bizilagunekin, argue that tourism benefits a few while burdening many. They contend that the city has become overly focused on catering to tourists, leaving long-term residents sidelined. The group’s event follows a series of discussions and activities throughout October addressing the impacts of “touristification.”
According to member Asier Basurto, the influx of tourists isn’t the primary issue; rather, it’s how the city prioritizes visitor needs over those of residents. He highlights the transformation of public spaces for short-term use and the precarious nature of jobs in the tourism sector. Basurto also points to the impact on housing, with rising rents driven by short-stay accommodations pushing locals away from the historic city center.
The concern over tourism’s effect on rental costs reflects a broader housing crisis in Spain, where nearly half of families renting at market rates face poverty or social exclusion risks, according to the central bank. Nevertheless, tourism accounts for 13% of Spain’s GDP and provides around three million jobs, with advocates stressing its crucial role in the country’s economic recovery post-pandemic.
Recent protests have sometimes turned hostile, with incidents such as demonstrators in Tenerife chanting near sunbathing tourists or reports of vandalism targeting tourist apartments in Seville. These actions have prompted figures like David Morales, the People’s Party’s tourism head in the Canary Islands, to defend the right of tourists to enjoy their holidays without harassment.
Concerns are particularly acute in winter-friendly destinations like the Canary Islands, where tourism remains high year-round. Javier Cabrera, president of a local business association, warned that legitimate grievances are fueling a growing “tourism-phobia.”
In response to the backlash, authorities have introduced measures to limit tourism’s impact, such as banning short-term rentals in Barcelona by 2028, capping cruise ship arrivals in Palma de Mallorca, restricting visitors in some Tenerife parks, and planning a fee for entering Seville’s Plaza de España. However, Basurto remains skeptical and insists that continued protests are necessary, warning, “Either we change this now or it’s going to be too late.”
