Travelers in Barcelona are targeted by protesters who throw objects and spray water while shouting for them to leave the city.

On Saturday, mass tourism troubles reached a boiling point in Barcelona as protesters hurled objects and doused tourists with water guns and canned drinks, while shouting "tourists leave."

In an effort to close down the establishments, the protesters, who were furious about the city's persistent issues with overtourism, used thick police-style tape to obstruct the entrances of hotels and sidewalk cafes in the small neighborhood of Barceloneta.

Some 3,000 people marched in the crowd, holding a large banner demanding that city officials decrease tourists now.

Anti-tourism activists verbally sparred with restaurant staff and customers, as seen in videos and photographs, with some people leaving their tables mid-meal to avoid the crowds.

The peak summer travel months in Barcelona coincided with the demonstration in 2023, with hotel occupancy rates reaching nearly 80% in July and August, as the city of 1.6 million people welcomed more than 4 million visitors, according to the Barcelona City Council.

Record-breaking arrivals

Last year, Spain experienced a record-breaking 85 million foreign visitor arrivals, despite the pandemic, according to the Associated Press.

But the delicate dance between locals and visitors had spiraled long before that.

The number of hotels in the city has quadrupled from 1990 to 2023, with a surge in travelers from 1.7 million to 7.8 million during the same period, according to the Barcelona City Council. However, this does not account for the millions of travelers who visit the city's outskirts.

The Barcelona Cruise Port contributes significantly to the city's tourism industry, with over 2.2 million passengers in 2023, compared to 560,000 in 2000.

According to Barcelona's mayor, Jaume Collboni, the city's housing market has caused rents to increase by 68% in the past decade, making it difficult for many locals to afford to live there.

In June, Collboni declared that Airbnb-style short-term house rentals would be prohibited in the city by 2028, resulting in the addition of approximately 10,000 apartments to the long-term rental market.

The "Perception of Tourism in Barcelona" report published by Barcelona's City Council in 2023 revealed that the number of residents who view tourism as beneficial to the city has increased, although the gap between these numbers has narrowed over time.

A majority of the 1,860 surveyed respondents stated that they change their city exploration habits due to tourists. Specifically, they avoid the central area of the city, including Plaça Catalunya, La Rambla, Gothic Quarter, Raval, Old Town, and Waterfront, as well as the Sagrada Família region. Park Güell is the most commonly avoided specific space.

The report indicates that even those who acknowledge the economic benefits of tourism are growing disillusioned with the high number of tourists in the city.

The belief that Barcelona has reached its tourism limit is growing among people.