By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On June 15th, 2025, coordinated protests against overtourism erupted across Southern Europe, with the largest demonstration in Palma, Mallorca. Protesters, concerned about rising housing costs and the displacement of residents, employed water pistols to playfully disrupt tourists, highlighting their frustration with the negative impacts of mass tourism. The demonstrations, occurring in cities like Barcelona, Lisbon, and Venice, underscore growing tensions between residents and the tourism industry, which is increasingly blamed for erasing local character and affordability. Governments are attempting to address these concerns, with Spain recently taking action against illegal short-term rentals, but significant challenges remain in balancing economic benefits with residents’ needs.
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Spaniards packing water pistols to protest the impact of mass tourism on their housing situation highlights a complex issue with no easy answers. The anger isn’t directed at tourists themselves, but rather at the systemic issues that allow mass tourism to displace residents.
The frustration stems from the unchecked growth of platforms like Airbnb, enabling a surge in short-term rentals that outcompetes long-term housing for locals. Landlords, prioritizing higher profits from tourists, are often willing to inflate prices and cater to party environments, leaving residents with fewer options and higher costs.
Local politicians bear some of the blame for failing to regulate these platforms and enact policies that protect residents’ housing rights. Furthermore, neighbors who oppose new housing developments or easing of construction codes inadvertently contribute to the problem, limiting the supply of affordable housing. The delicate balance between the economic benefits of tourism and the needs of the local population is clearly out of kilter.
While tourism significantly contributes to Spain’s GDP, approximately 12%, the current level seems unsustainable. The resentment isn’t about rejecting all tourism, but rather the consequences of unchecked growth; limited tourism might benefit the wealthy, while a deluge creates problems for everyone else. Many argue that the current situation is partially self-inflicted. A common criticism is the tendency of Spaniards to own multiple properties, often leaving them empty for extended periods, thereby contributing to housing scarcity.
The argument that Barcelona, heavily reliant on tourism, would collapse without it, is a powerful one, and it underscores the difficult choices facing the city. However, the disruption caused by overcrowding, high prices, and disrespectful behaviour is undeniably affecting locals’ quality of life. Many tourists have reported negative experiences, including harassment, further fueling the tension.
Several solutions have been proposed. Banning short-term rentals in tourist areas, restricting property purchases to citizens or long-term residents, and implementing heavy taxes on second homes or empty properties are all being considered. Rent control, factoring in location, size and amenities could also play a significant role. Ultimately, the aim is to create a system that prioritizes housing for residents while benefiting from tourism in a sustainable way.
The comparison to other successful tourist destinations such as Japan, where housing affordability in major cities like Tokyo seems to be better managed despite high tourism, offers a potential benchmark. However, the specific context of each city is crucial, and simple comparisons don’t often offer straightforward solutions.
Underlying the issue are systemic problems, such as the lack of effective eviction processes for non-paying tenants, which incentivizes landlords to favor short-term rentals. Corruption in politics also exacerbates the situation, with accusations of illegal activities by banks, credit issues and empty properties going unaddressed. This is clearly a complex web of factors causing this stress.
The water pistol protests, while seemingly extreme, reflect a growing frustration. Tourists often overlook the impact of their presence on local communities, while some Spaniards are seen as unwelcoming to visitors. Both sides bear some responsibility for the current situation. The call for a more balanced approach is resonating, one that emphasizes the rights of residents, the sustainable growth of tourism, and strong political will to enforce the regulations needed to create a more equitable outcome.