Residents Use Water Guns in Protests Against Overtourism in Barcelona and Mallorca On Sunday, June 15, 2025, residents in Barcelona and Mallorca protested against overtourism by squirting water guns at tourists. These demonstrations aimed to highlight the negative effects of mass tourism on housing and local quality of life. Similar protests also occurred in other southern European cities, including Venice, Lisbon, Granada, and Ibiza. Objectives and Methods of the Demonstrations Protesters sought to draw attention to the housing crisis exacerbated by the conversion of residential apartments into short-term tourist rentals, which is driving up rents and displacing long-term residents. In Barcelona, demonstrators marched through the city and used water pistols to “bother the tourists,” emphasizing their demand to reclaim the city for locals. Andreu Martínez, a local protest participant, stated that rising rents and the replacement of traditional shops with tourist-oriented businesses threaten the community’s way of life. Effects on Local Communities Barcelona hosted 15.5 million visitors last year, far exceeding its population of 1.7 million, intensifying pressure on housing and urban infrastructure. In Palma, Mallorca, approximately 5,000 people joined protests expressing frustration at pervasive tourism and its impact on housing costs. Residents voiced concerns about being systematically pushed out of their own neighborhoods due to the tourist industry’s growth. Regional Spread of Protest Movements The protest movement extended beyond Barcelona and Mallorca, with demonstrations in cities such as Granada, San Sebastián, and Ibiza. In Venice, Italy, activists protested new hotel constructions contributing to resident evictions in historic areas. These actions reflect a broader regional demand for sustainable tourism policies that protect resident interests and urban heritage. Tourist Response to Protests Tourists generally responded with amusement to the playful water gun protests, laughing off the demonstrations despite being targeted. Conclusion The water gun protests in Barcelona and Mallorca symbolize growing local frustration with overtourism’s social and economic impacts. They form part of a wider movement across southern Europe calling for balanced tourism development to maintain the character and livability of affected cities and regions.

On Sunday, June 15, 2025, residents in Barcelona and Mallorca expressed their frustration with overtourism by spraying water guns at tourists as part of coordinated protests across southern Europe. The demonstrations aimed to highlight the social and economic impact of mass tourism on local communities, including rising housing costs and the displacement of residents. Similar protests were reported in other Spanish cities and popular tourist destinations such as Venice and Lisbon, underscoring a broader regional movement against the unchecked growth of tourism.

Objectives and Methods of the Demonstrations

The protests in Barcelona and Mallorca were designed to bring public attention to the housing challenges triggered by the surge of tourism-related short-term rentals. Conversion of long-term residential units into tourist accommodations has contributed to a sharp increase in rent prices, causing displacement of local residents and threatening neighborhood stability. Demonstrators in Barcelona engaged in marches through key urban areas, accompanied by the symbolic use of water guns aimed playfully at tourists. This method served both as a light-hearted form of protest and a means to “bother” visitors to increase awareness of locals’ grievances. Andreu Martínez, a participant in the Barcelona protests, emphasized that the local culture and daily life are being undermined by rising rents and the proliferation of shops catering exclusively to tourists rather than the community.

Effects on Local Communities

Barcelona experienced a record 15.5 million visitors in the previous year—nearly nine times the city’s resident population of approximately 1.7 million—which has placed considerable strain on housing availability and urban services. In Palma, Mallorca, the demonstrations attracted about 5,000 residents expressing concern over the increasing difficulty in securing affordable housing and maintaining community cohesion amid tourism expansion. Participants voiced fears that continued growth in the tourist sector will gradually erode their neighborhoods, driving longtime inhabitants out and transforming the character of their cities into transient commercial zones.

Regional Spread of Protest Movements

The demonstrations extended beyond Spain, capturing a broader regional sentiment about overtourism throughout southern Europe. Cities such as Granada, San Sebastián, and Ibiza also saw protests, reflecting shared concerns about sustainable urban management and the preservation of local ways of life. In Venice, Italy, activists organized protests against new hotel developments that contribute to the eviction of residents from historic districts, further highlighting the tension between tourism development and community preservation. These coordinated actions indicate a growing demand among residents across multiple countries for tourism policies that balance economic benefits with protection of urban heritage and housing rights.

Tourist Response to Protests

Tourists targeted by the water gun demonstrations generally reacted with amusement rather than hostility. Many visitors laughed and took the playful protests in stride, recognizing the demonstrators’ intent to raise awareness rather than to cause harm. This relatively lighthearted reception helped maintain a peaceful atmosphere during the events, although the underlying concerns expressed remain a serious and pressing issue for host communities.

Conclusion

The innovative use of water guns in protests against overtourism in Barcelona and Mallorca underscores growing frustration among residents about the social and economic pressures exerted by mass tourism. Part of a wider regional movement throughout southern Europe, these protests aim to provoke dialogue and policy changes in favor of more sustainable tourism development. Maintaining the livability and cultural integrity of cities affected by tourism growth is a key priority for residents seeking to safeguard their communities for the future.

The protests across Barcelona, Mallorca, and other southern European cities highlight a mounting call from local communities to address the challenges brought by overtourism. By drawing attention to issues such as soaring housing costs and the displacement of residents, these demonstrations signal the urgent need for balanced tourism policies that protect urban heritage and ensure sustainable economic benefits. The peaceful and creative nature of the protests reflects residents’ desire for constructive dialogue aimed at preserving the cultural identity and livability of their cities amidst increasing tourist pressure. As tourism continues to play a significant role in the region’s economy, the ongoing movement underscores the importance of adapting development strategies to meet the needs of both visitors and local populations alike.