Spaniards are struggling to cope with overtourism

In Barcelona's residential Gràcia neighbourhood known for its quaint squares, Txema Escorsa feels he is being left behind. The friendly faces of neighbours in his apartment building have been replaced by a non-stop flow of hard-partying foreigners, and his teacher's salary can't keep pace with the rising rent. "It is tough for me to imagine what to do next," he told The Associated Press in the living room of his two-bedroom apartment. "If I leave, will I be contributing to Barcelona losing its essence that comes from its locals? But there comes a time when I'm fed up." Escorsa, 33, is just one of many residents who believe tourism has gone too far in the city famed for Antoni Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia basilica and the Las Ramblas promenade, running roughshod over communities and exacerbating a housing crisis.
It's not just a Spanish problem. Cities across the world are struggling with how to cope with overtourism and a boom in short-term rental platforms, like Airbnb, but perhaps nowhere has surging discontent been so evident as in Barcelona, where protesters plan to take to the streets on Sunday. Similar demonstrations are slated in several other Spanish cities, including on the Balearic islands of Mallorca and Ibiza, as well as in the Italian postcard city of Venice, Portugal's capital Lisbon and other cities across southern Europe — marking the first time a protest against tourism has been coordinated across the region.
A poll in June 2022 found just 2% of Spaniards thought housing was a national problem. Three years later, almost a third of those surveyed said it is now a leading concern. (Both polls were of 4,000 people, with a margin of error of 1.6%) Spaniards have staged several large protests in Barcelona, Madrid and other cities in recent years to demand lower rents. When thousands marched through the streets of Spain's capital in April, some held homemade signs saying "Get Airbnb out of our neighborhoods."
Last year, Barcelona seemed to reach a tipping point when a rally in favor of "degrowing tourism" ended with some protestors shooting water pistols at unsuspecting tourists. Images of those incidents went around the world, and more such scenes are expected on Sunday.
"It is very likely the water pistols will be back," said Daniel Pardo, one of the organizers of the Barcelona protest. "In fact, we encourage people to bring their own." Spain, with a population of 48 million, hosted a record 94 million international visitors in 2024, compared with 83 million in 2019, making it one of the most-visited countries in the world. It could receive as many as 100 million tourists this year, according to studies cited by Spain's economy minister.
Spain's municipal and federal authorities are striving to show they hear the public outcry and are taking appropriate action to put the tourism industry on notice, despite the fact it contributes 12% of national GDP.
Almost two-thirds of those who took part in a poll conducted last year in Barcelona said tourist apartments led to bothersome behavior. Two months later, the city stunned Airbnb and other services who help rent properties to tourists by announcing the elimination of all 10,000 short-term rental licenses in the city by 2028.
A survey by Spain's public opinion office last year showed more than three-quarters of respondents favored tighter regulations on tourist apartments. Spain's left-wing government approved regulations making it easier for owners of apartments to block others from renting to tourists in their building, as well as approving measures to allow cities like Barcelona to cap rents. And last month, it ordered Airbnb to remove almost 66,000 holiday rentals from the platform which it said had violated local rules. Spain's Consumer Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy told AP that the tourism sector "cannot jeopardize the constitutional rights of the Spanish people," which enshrines their right to housing and well-being.
Carlos Cuerpo, the economy minister, said in a separate AP interview that the government is aware it must tackle the unwanted side effects of mass tourism. "These record numbers in terms of tourism also pose challenges, and we need to deal with those challenges also for our own population," Cuerpo said.
The short-term rental industry believes it is being treated unfairly.
"I think a lot of our politicians have found an easy scapegoat to blame for the inefficiencies of their policies in terms of housing and tourism over the last 10, 15, 20 years," Airbnb's general director for Spain and Portugal, Jaime Rodríguez de Santiago told the AP. "If you look at the over-tourism problem in Spain, it has been brewing for decades, and probably since the 60s."
He says hotels are still the leading accommodation for tourists. In Barcelona, hotels accounted for 20 million tourists in 2024, compared with 12 million who used homes, according to local data.
Rodríguez de Santiago notes the contradiction of Barcelona's Mayor Jaume Collboni backing the expansion of the city's international airport - announced this week - while still planning to wipe out the tourist apartments.
That argument either hasn't trickled down to the ordinary residents of Barcelona, or isn't resonating. Escorsa, the teacher in Barcelona, doesn't just oppose Airbnb in his home city; he has ceased to use it even when traveling elsewhere, out of principle. "In the end, you realize that this is taking away housing from people," he said.
Associated Press

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4 hours ago

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38 exciting new restaurants opening in Dubai this year

Dubai's dining scene is about to get a whole lot tastier. Dubai's restaurant scene is thriving, with each new opening promising a unique gastronomic experience for the city. From traditional Italian offerings at Antonia to a jubilant Japanese izakaya experience at Zuma Beachhouse, there's something for everyone. And that's just the beginning. Read on to discover the new Dubai restaurants that should be on your dining radar in 2025 (and beyond). Much like its popular outposts in Abu Dhabi, Antonia is bringing its signature Roman-style flair to Mall of the Emirates. Expect trays of traditional Pizza Al Taglio, served in rectangular slices with a variety of tempting toppings. In true Italian fashion, it's all about casual bites, and no cutlery is required. Antonia's specialises in Pizza Al Taglio — traditional Roman-style pizza served by the slice. Trays of rectangular pizza are artfully topped with options such as Margherita, Diavola, Quattro Formaggi, Ortolana, and Gricia. Beyond the pizza counter, the menu spans antipasti, handmade pastas (including gluten-free options), fresh salads, and indulgent desserts. Whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth, Antonia promises a slice of la dolce vita — with a family legacy baked into every bite. Expected opening: 2025 TBC Two of Dubai's most popular homegrown heavyweights — Canary Club and The MAINE — are bringing a double-dose of coastal cool to Club Vista Mare this October. The new Palm Jumeirah destination will feature two adjoining beach club venues: the laid-back West Coast-inspired Canary Beach and the refined East Coast-style The MAINE Palm. Expect four distinct dining spaces, multiple lounge bars, seaside terraces, beach beds, and cabanas. On the culinary front, each concept brings its signature hits with a beach-ready twist. Expect crudos, ceviches, and sushi signatures from Canary Beach while The MAINE Palm delivers on its raw bar classics, grilled meats, and a fresh crop of seasonal plates. GO: Follow @canaryclubdxb or @themainedxb on Instagram for more information Carbone New York's Carbone is set to open its doors in Dubai at Atlantis The Royal in early 2025. The celebrity favourite will take over the space previously occupied by Resonance by Heston Blumenthal on the ground floor of the beachfront hotel. While the specific menu for the Dubai outpost hasn't been revealed, fans can definitely look forward to indulging in Carbone's signature Spicy Rigatoni. Other favourites such as Chicken Scarpariello, Linguini Vongole, Seafood Salad, and Veal Parmesan are also expected to grace the menu along with more of the American-Italian cuisine that has made Carbone so famous. Expected opening: 2025 TBC Chotto Matte Opening its doors in early 2025, Chotto Matte will find a home at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC. This addition promises to bring the best of Nikkei cuisine – a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavours – to Dubai. 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Located in Address Sky View in Downtown Dubai, it aims to celebrate the best of Italian cuisine. The full menu has not yet been unveiled. So far, we know that it will include pasta recipes from families (and, of course, nonnas), which have been passed down through the generations. The menu will put Southern Italian food in the spotlight – so we are expecting plenty of pasta and pizza. Expected opening: 2025 TBC Set to open in Dubai Marina, Fire Water Burn isn't positioning itself as a traditional restaurant. Nor is it a club in the conventional, velvet-rope sense. Instead, it's carving out its own niche as a space where mood, music, and mystery converge. The interiors echo this unconventional spirit. Think rustic elegance with a rebellious twist: raw concrete walls embossed with the cryptic initials FWB, softened by warm wooden finishes and dim, moody lighting. As for the menu? It's still under wraps. 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Expected opening: 2025 TBC Gymkhana Gymkhana has made a name for itself as one of the finest Indian restaurants in the world – and now, it's making its debut in Dubai. Originally launched in London and with an outpost in Riyadh, the celebrated concept is preparing to open its doors in the landmark location of DIFC. The restaurant draws its inspiration from the gymkhana clubs of colonial India and is renowned for its refined take on classic Indian cuisine. The menu features biriyanis, curries, kebabs, sabzis and tikkas. Plus, FACT favourites such as the Chettinad Duck Dosa with Coconut Chutney and Kid Goat Methi Keema with Salli and Pao Expected opening: 2025 TBC KIGO Get ready for an unparalleled culinary journey as Kigo, the new Japanese omakase restaurant, is set to open in Four Seasons DIFC. The chefs will showcase their mastery of the art of omakase, using only the freshest seasonal ingredients to create a one-of-a-kind culinary experience. 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With a bistro area, a bar, a show kitchen and an alfresco shisha lounge with stunning vistas, your evenings are about to reach new heights. Expected opening: 2027 TBC Rubia Gallega Already a favourite at Expo City, Rubia Gallega is making its move to the coast. The Spanish steakhouse celebrates Galician beef in all its marbled glory, paired with a curated wine list. Expect bold flavours, beautiful cuts, and a sleek, sophisticated setting when it opens at Gran Meliá Dubai Jumeirah. Expected opening: 2027 TBC Crazy Horse Dubai Dubai, a new sultry show is coming to the city. Crazy Horse from Paris will be making its debut in the region. Bringing together dance, music and a whole lot of fun. Crazy Horse in Paris has a long history, which is more than 70 years old. The original venue has welcomed a range of famous performers, including Dita Von Teese and Carmen Electra. Visitors can expect acrobats, live music and entertainment. 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To add to the atmosphere, in the evening, there will be live music inspired by mariachi bands and carnivals. Expected opening: 2025 TBC Tavolina Get ready to indulge in a taste of Italy with the arrival of a new trattoria in Dubai. This charming eatery, originally from Beirut, promises a laid-back atmosphere with warm hospitality at East Park. Enjoy traditional Italian dishes cooked to perfection, served with a smile by a team of welcoming staff. The perfect spot for a casual meal with friends and family. Expected opening: TBC

What's On

5 hours ago

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What's On

9 hours ago

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Emirates adds a third daily flight to Barcelona from Dubai

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