The Southern Europe Network Against Touristification has slated June 15 for a continent-wide day of action across Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Demonstrators plan marches, sit-ins at airports, and water pistol flash mobs in historic districts. These events aim to pressure officials into banning short-term rentals, controlling visitor numbers, and safeguarding local infrastructure.
Residents cite rising rents, plunging housing availability, and public services buckling under tourism’s weight. One Lisbon organizer emphasized, “We are being squeezed out of our homes, our public spaces, and our daily lives.” In Barcelona, Mayor Jaume Collboni has promised to phase out new short-term rentals by 2028—an attempt to ease pressure on local housing costs.
Tourism experts urge sustainable solutions. Brett Mitchell of Intrepid Travel backed off-season travel and support for locally owned ventures. He said: “The reality is tourism is not going to slow down…it’s only going to become bigger,” yet he urged balanced, community-conscious practices.
As pressure mounts, policymakers in Venice, Barcelona, and beyond have implemented measures like entry fees, rental caps, and tourism taxes to defuse unrest.
On April 28, a group in Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia square blocked a tour bus, sprayed it with toy water pistols, and displayed a banner reading “Let’s put out the tourist fire.” The protest, which disrupted traffic for ten minutes, drew local police intervention but no arrests. Organizers described the stunt as a nonviolent tactic to “draw attention to the social and environmental toll tourism is taking on our cities.”
