Barcelona Tourism Faces Downturn Amidst Anti-Tourism Sentiment
Barcelona,Spain – A noticeable decline in tourist numbers is impacting Barcelona,with recent reports and social media footage depicting unusually quiet streets in the popular spanish city. TikTok creator LauraTravelvlogs, a Barcelona resident of two years, shared videos comparing current conditions to those of 2023, highlighting a significant drop in both visitor numbers and retail activity. She reports tourist levels are currently at their lowest point.
The shift comes following a series of anti-tourism protests across Spain, with LauraTravelvlogs specifically noting a quieter city center during the summer months due to tourists feeling unwelcome. Concerns are mounting over the potential economic consequences, with some commenters fearing business closures and job losses.Reports suggest a potential 40 percent fall in Spanish tourism, with some coastal areas described as “ghost cities.”
While some question the timing of the observations – with some residents reporting crowds as recently as March – broader reports corroborate a downturn. benidorm, another popular destination, has seen empty cafes and sparsely populated beaches this summer, a rare occurrence.
Industry leaders are voicing alarm. Miguel Pérez-Marsá, Chair of the Night Entertainment Association, expressed worry that negative experiences will deter future visitors. Pedro Oliver, President of the Spanish tour guide association, reported a 20 percent decrease in tour sales this summer.
“If we continue to bring up negative news that impacts abroad,tourists will choose other countries for a vacation,” Oliver stated. The situation underscores a growing tension between the economic benefits of tourism and the concerns of residents regarding overcrowding and its impact on quality of life.