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<h2>Protests Against Overtourism in Spain</h2>
<p>On Sunday, demonstrators in Barcelona and on the Balearic Island of Mallorca aimed water guns at unsuspecting tourists during marches advocating for a reevaluation of their local economic models. Protesters argue that these models contribute to a housing crisis and are diminishing the unique character of their cities.</p>
<h3>Unified Activism Across Southern Europe</h3>
<p>These protests marked the first joint effort by activists addressing the challenges of overtourism in major southern European tourist hotspots. In various locations, thousands participated, with Palma seeing the largest assembly. Protests also took place in cities like Granada, San Sebastián, Venice, and Lisbon.</p>
<h3>Local Voices</h3>
<p>Andreu Martínez, a participant in Barcelona, humorously noted that shooting water at tourists was a way to raise awareness. He emphasized the need to reclaim the city for its residents. With a population of 1.7 million, Barcelona welcomed over 15 million tourists last year, exacerbating local issues like rising rent and the transformation of neighborhoods into tourist-centric areas.</p>
<h3>Impact on Housing</h3>
<p>Martínez highlighted that his rent has surged by over 30% as an increasing number of homes are rented out to tourists, displacing long-standing local businesses in favor of tourist-focused establishments. He remarked, "Our lives, as lifelong residents of Barcelona, are coming to an end. We are being systematically pushed out."</p>
<h3>Visible Discontent</h3>
<p>In Mallorca, around 5,000 protesters, wielding water guns, chanted against the overwhelming presence of tourists, while many targeted by water blasts reacted positively, finding humor in the act. The island's housing market has similarly felt the impact of a shift toward short-term rentals, leading to increased housing costs.</p>
<h3>Activism Across Borders</h3>
<p>In Venice, protesters displayed signs demanding a freeze on new hotel constructions, particularly in areas where locals were displaced. Demonstrators in Venice, Barcelona, and Lisbon voiced slogans highlighting the tension between tourism and local community rights, with many adhering stickers reading "Tourist Go Home."</p>
<h3>Government Response to Protests</h3>
<p>In response to public outcry, Spanish authorities face the challenge of balancing tourism's significant economic contributions—approximately 12% of GDP—with residents' rights to housing. Recently, the government mandated Airbnb to remove about 66,000 non-compliant rentals. The situation prompts critical reflection on sustainable tourism and housing stability across Spain as protests highlight the growing discontent among residents.</p>
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