Activists opposing overtourism are organizing coordinated protests on Sunday in several cities across Spain, Portugal, and Italy, Reuters reports.
Residents of Southern Europe are increasingly expressing frustration over the mass influx of tourists, which they say deprives them of affordable housing, drives up living costs, and causes severe traffic congestion in cities.
Protests are planned in Barcelona and seven other Spanish cities, including Granada, Palma, and Ibiza. Demonstrations will also take place in Lisbon, as well as in Venice, Genoa, Palermo, Milan, and Naples in Italy.
Organizers told Reuters that their goal is to build on and expand last year’s protests across Spain by holding a coordinated day of action. In Barcelona, demonstrators were urged to bring water pistols, recalling that some participants doused tourists with water during last year’s protests.
A source from the Catalonia regional police assured that authorities will safeguard both the right to protest and citizens’ freedom of movement but declined to provide further details.
The protest in Venice is expected to be more subdued, with organizers planning to display banners in two locations to condemn the negative impact of overtourism.
Spain welcomed a record number of tourists in 2024, with even more visitors expected this year.
Previously, protests against overtourism took place in popular Spanish tourist destinations such as Mallorca, Barcelona, and Malaga.
