**Barcelona Residents Rally Against Over-Tourism Amid Rising Costs**

In a city overwhelmed by visitors, residents are demanding a balanced approach to tourism that prioritizes locals.

In a public display of frustration, protesters flooded the streets of central Barcelona on Sunday, urging tourists to "Go Home!" as they marched to raise awareness about the negative impacts of rampant tourism on their community. Lively demonstrations featured water-squirting antics aimed at bemused couples and colorful stickers plastered on luxury boutiques, declaring tourists unwanted. While tourism remains a substantial contributor to Spain's economy, the swelling numbers of visitors are eliciting complaints from locals who feel increasingly alienated in their own neighborhoods.

Marina, a protester, highlighted the detrimental effects of short-term rentals and expats on local housing markets. Her sign, which read, "Your AirBnB used to be my home," encapsulated the struggle many residents face as they grapple with skyrocketing rent prices. Demonstrators are not against tourism per se, but rather call for a more sustainable approach. "Our goal is not to stop tourism, because it's also good, but to have it at a normal rate," Marina stated.

The protest snaked its way toward iconic landmarks like the Sagrada Familia, where last year over 15 million visitors inundated the city—ten times its local population. The protest firmly resonated with diverse voices, including Elena, a young marine biologist, who noted the impossibility of affording even basic amenities among soaring living costs.

Pepi Viu, an 80-year-old resident recently evicted from her home, remains astounded by the rising housing costs. Dwellings that once provided affordable shelter are now being converted into tourist accommodations, leaving locals like her with nowhere to go. "I can't find anything – and there's no support," she lamented, emphasizing that resident needs should be prioritized over tourism.

As more residents face displacement, the fight for affordable housing grows more urgent. Joan Alvarez, a long-term tenant facing contract termination, described his struggle to hold onto his home amidst rising profits for landlords. "It's not just about the money, it's the principle," he asserted, fighting for the right to remain in a neighborhood that is quickly losing its local identity.

Responding to the protests, local authorities announced a ban on short-term tourist rentals starting in 2028, which could leave approximately 10,000 landlords without licenses. However, landlords like Jesus Pereda argue that they are being unfairly blamed for rising rents as their tourist-based income provides for their families. "They stopped giving out new licenses 10 years ago, but rents have still gone up. So how are we to blame?" he asked, suggesting that higher rents are largely caused by transient workers, rather than tourism itself.

The tension in Barcelona culminated in moments of chaos, with chants of "You're all guiris!" (a colloquial term for foreigners) reverberating in the streets and clashes occurring near hotels as the frustrations of locals bubbled to the surface. As protests against tourism sparked similar movements in other Southern European countries, residents and governments continue to grapple with finding a sustainable balance between tourism and the well-being of local communities.

Spain expects an unprecedented influx of tourists this coming summer, a situation that could heighten the strain on residents who are adamant about their right to maintain their neighborhoods amidst this continuing tourism boom.