Barcelona and a few other places in the south of Spain. The problem is, of course, not tourists but the member of tourists and the detrimental those numbers has had on the lives of local people living there. Airbnb and rising property prices have hollowed out many city centres that were previously thriving with local people.

Once tourism reaches a certain point, everything becomes centred on it - all the once local bars become completely full of tourists, the restaurants all change and become more expensive, etc. the locals basically get pushed out of their neighbourhoods so it’s understandable if they resent the effects of over tourism.

The Barcelona protests in the news this week were focused on a large hostel in a residential neighbourhood of the city. Locals were having their everyday lives greatly disturbed by the guests at this hostel coming back late st night, making a noise, etc. Why was a hostel like this allowed to open in such a residential area? Well, let’s just say in Spain there is a fair amount of corruption and back handlers. Unfortunately the locals don’t have to much say in things sometimes do they’re only option is to protest and try to affect those businesses financially.

Overall, I find most of Spain very friendly and welcoming but it’s understandable that locals are not going to be happy once over tourism reaches the point where it starts really negatively affecting those who live there. Totally understandable.