**Residents of Barcelona Protest Against Over-Tourism as Crowds Surge**

**A growing number of locals in Barcelona are adamantly expressing their concerns over the overbearing effects of tourism, pushing back against rising costs and displacement while calling for regulated visitor management.**

The streets of Barcelona echoed with chants and slogans this Sunday as locals took to the pavement in a protest against the overwhelming surge of tourists in their beloved city. Armed with placards and water pistols, protesters directed their ire towards visiting sightseers, urging them to “Go Home!” Renowned cafe-goers were not spared as they found themselves the unintended targets of water sprays, while local boutiques were plastered with stickers denouncing the presence of tourists.

Tourism is a vital economic pillar for Spain, and Barcelona ranks as one of its most sought-after destinations. However, an influx of visitors has become burdensome, prompting residents to feel marginalized in their own communities. This tension is palpable not only in Barcelona but across many popular locales in southern Europe as residents grapple with the repercussions of intense tourism.

Among the protesters was Marina, who held a sign reading “Your Airbnb used to be my home,” sharing her frustration as rising rents fueled by short-term rentals have compromised her ability to live comfortably in the city. The crowd’s sentiments echoed a collective call for a balance, as Marina stated, “Our goal is not to stop tourism, because it's also good, but to have it at a normal rate.”

The procession unwittingly moved past the iconic Sagrada Familia, a hallmark of Barcelona's charm that attracted over 15 million tourists last year, overshadowing the local population nearly tenfold. Young residents like Elena, a marine biologist, elaborated on the critical issue: “Young people can't afford living here or even normal things like coffee that are all really expensive for our salaries.”

Not just the youth are feeling the strain. Eighty-year-old Pepi Viu recently faced eviction from her home of nearly a decade. Unable to compete with rising market rent driven by tourism, Pepi has taken refuge in a hostel while struggling to find affordable housing amidst a stark 70% increase in rental prices since she last rented.

In the Gothic Quarter, longtime resident Joan Alvarez struggles to maintain his family's flat but faces a landlord determined to push him out for higher rent, arguing, “It shouldn't just be a profit business; it's about home for us.” These narratives reveal a deep-seated conflict between the need for affordable housing and the appeal of the tourism industry.

Amidst growing unease, authorities announced a complete ban on short-term rentals by the year 2028, impacting 10,000 landlords. However, those such as Jesus Pereda, who rent out tourist flats, counter that landlords are being scapegoated for wider issues. “Tourism has become a convenient target,” he argued while emphasizing that it's the influx of worker-nomads driving prices upward, not transient tourists who contribute to the economy.

As protests intensified with chants and flare displays, police encircled the Sagrada Familia to manage the situation. Similar demonstrations have emerged elsewhere in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, with local populations voicing concerns about the sustainability of mass tourism. The future remains uncertain as Barcelona braces for even greater tourist numbers in the peak summer season, leaving many residents wondering what lies ahead for their city.