Tourist Protests in Spain and Spanish Islands
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With the news of protesters spraying tourists with water in Barcelona, would you still go given the hassle going on from protesters not wanting tourists there?
I have a rule in life: Not to go where I am not wanted! If they don't want tourists then boycott their city and see how they get on without tourist money.
Is it just Barcelona? I didn’t like it there anyway. Plenty of other nicer places in Spain. It could backfire on them. It’s because they are not getting homes for nationals? It really lies with builders and authorities not necessarily the tourists themselves so I think they may be shooting themselves in the foot with their water pistols. Don’t give them any of our money then!
JLouM It can be stopped, but those in charge don't want to. Thus, VOX is getting stronger and stronger.
I think that it would be best to avoid the big cities as there are too many AirBnBs which means the locals have nowhere affordable to live. This is why they are protesting. Spain is a beautiful country with many places to visit away from the big city life.
It’s Majorca, Ibiza and Tenerife as well blocking the airport roads and spraying tourists. During the pandemic they were first national to complain about the lack of tourism and spending!
Pjran Exactly, a lot of countries especially the Caribbean Islands need our tourism. During lockdown many islands were in dire straits.
I don't like Spain, I wouldn't go there again same as France, when the tourism money stops they will be begging for people to come back
Foreign Countries rely on tourism for our money. Simple answer? Dont go there If we are not wanted. Go elsewhere.
We used to have a massive tourism industry. Our local government let it due and put all funding into finance industry. We'd love a tourism industry again but there's little to do here anymore and hardly any hotels. It's a shame
I understand what Barcelonians are going through, but they're targeting the wrong people.
I do have to admit seeing them use squirt guns made me chuckle a bit. 
I've been to Barcelona a couple of times. It was so hot that I would have been delighted to be sprayed with some nice cool water!
Joking aside the issue of over tourism is a complex one. I know that the Mayor of Barcelona has pledged to eliminate short term holiday lets within the next 5 years. It will be interesting to see what happens with that plan.
And how are they going to manage without the income that the tourists bring into these countries?
HEDGEHOGS like we have. We literally rely on the fact we are a tax haven. There's nothing else here. It's sad. We were once the place to come to now it's expensive and not that great. It's beautiful and people still come but it's not as good as it was. We used to have amusement arcades, loads of hotels with entertainment and a leisure centre with theme park. Plus things like strawberry and butterfly farms. That's not including things like the beaches. We've still restaurants and cliff path walks. It's beautiful here but not really attractive compared to other places that are cheaper and more on offer.
Spain is a place I've never fancied going on holiday. I'd rather go to Greece or Turkey myself.
stevea808 Greece and Turkey is like that for me. I felt like about Spain til I went there in 2022 and actually loved it
Jerseydrew I've never been to Spain, glad you enjoyed yourself there. I don't think I'll bother going if the Spanish don't want us there.
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