Thousands of residents across Spain, Italy, and Portugal have taken to the streets to protest overtourism, citing rising housing costs and displacement. Governments are now facing pressure to regulate tourism
Mass Protests Sweep Across Southern Europe
Southern Europe – its golden triangle – Spain, Italy, and Portugal, has long been a tourist hotspot, attracting millions of visitors each year. However, locals are now pushing back against mass tourism, claiming it is destroying their cities, raising living costs, and forcing residents out of their homes.
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On June 15, 2025, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Barcelona, Venice, Lisbon, Palma de Mallorca, and other major cities, demanding urgent action against overtourism.
“Tourism is turning our homes into theme parks. We are losing our neighborhoods, our culture, and our identity,” said a protester in Barcelona.
Key Protest Locations:
- Barcelona, Spain – Protesters fired water pistols at tourists, chanting “Tourist Go Home!”
- Venice, Italy – Locals opposed the construction of two new hotels adding 1,500 beds.
- Lisbon, Portugal – Demonstrators gathered outside parliament, demanding a halt to new tourist accommodation licenses.
The protests were organized under the SET alliance (Sud d’Europa contra la Turistització), a coalition fighting against uncontrolled tourism expansion.
The Airbnb Effect: Housing Crisis and Displacement
One of the biggest concerns raised by protesters is the impact of short-term rentals like Airbnb on housing affordability.
How Airbnb is Affecting Locals:
- Landlords prefer short-term rentals, driving up housing costs.
- Residents are being displaced, as homes are converted into tourist accommodations.
- Local businesses are disappearing, replaced by souvenir shops and overpriced cafes.
In Palma de Mallorca, nearly 5,000 people rallied, chanting:
“Everywhere you look, all you see are tourists.”
Governments are beginning to respond:
- Spain ordered the removal of 66,000 illegal holiday rentals from platforms like Airbnb.
- Barcelona announced plans to eliminate all 10,000 short-term rental licenses by 2028.
However, locals argue that these measures may be too little, too late.
What’s Next? Governments Under Pressure
With tourism contributing billions to the economy, governments are hesitant to impose strict regulations.
Possible Solutions:
- Limiting tourist numbers in overcrowded cities.
- Stricter regulations on short-term rentals.
- Investing in sustainable tourism models.
As protests continue, the world watches to see whether Southern Europe will take decisive action or allow mass tourism to reshape its cities forever.
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