Pin It
Pages Menu
TwitterFacebook
Categories Menu

Posted by on Mar 31, 2015 in Articles, Europe, Spain | 11 comments

Barcelona – Is out of control tourism destroying the city?

Barcelona – Is out of control tourism destroying the city?

Barcelona – Has mass tourism destroyed the city? 

As a local resident, if you need to head to the city center for whatever purpose, you’re set to lose your patience and pull your hair off.

Between herds of thousands and thousands of tourists walking around, not looking at where they’re going, taking photos, clogging up small streets, increasing the queues for the metro and bus tickets….. you try to make your way to you destination.

 

Las Ramblas Photo José Fusle

Has mass tourism killed Barcelona? Is tourism killing Barcelona’s identity?  Are local residents being respected? Who’s fault is it?

As with everything in life, nothing is totally black & white. The problem with mass tourism in Barcelona is a very serious and extremely complex one.

Tourists brough money and a whole lot of opportunities for the region. This triggered  the greed of a small minotiry, who has been profiting big time from the horrendous gentrification of the city, which has been expelling its residents to far away neighborhoods on a mass scale. Barcelona is now a hip and IN city to live where locals don’t matter anymore. Here’s the forever travel dilemma.

 

THE CATALAN PEOPLE

Let me tell you something about the Catalans as a whole… They’re welcoming, open minded and extremely friendly people.

With a long history of repression under the Franco’s regime, where their native language and culture were brutally suppressed, they are now proud people with a strong cultural identity.

For the Catalan, their most valuable treasure is their culture.  Catalans love receiving tourists and foreigners who appreciate the cultural identity they have to offer, but feel distressed when money speak louder than values, which is what’s happening with the mass tourism here.

 

 

The Barceloneses identity is deeply intertwined with their neighborhoods. First they’re from Gracia / Guinardo / Vallcarca or whatever other neighborhood, then, they’re from Barcelona, then Catalan and then Spanish. So when entire areas; where everyone knew each other, where life was calm and small family size houses were the norm have been demolished to give birth to high, ultra modern, expensive grey buildings, we noticed we entered an out of control spiral.

Entire communities were broken apart and separated. A strong cultural identity was taken away from the ones who lived in their neighborhoods all their lives.

My neighborhood of Guinardó, has been partially demolished. All the small old houses, typical from that region are now a distant memory from the past. We were all kicked out. Old widows lost their homes where they’ve lived for more than 50 years and put in tiny apartments, where they are now forced to pay for a mortgage.

 

Barcelona gentrification

Here used to be my home, now big buildings are rising

 

Vallcarca, one of Barcelona’s most typical neighborhoods was unfortunate enough to be located near “Parc Guell”.  It suffered one of the most violent processes of gentrification and it’s now totally unrecognizable. Prices have sky rocket and the Parc Guell, is no longer free for the locals to enjoy. Vallcarca, once a fun artistic neighborhood, is now a place for the wealthiest ones. The whole community was broken apart.

 

Against the new fees for residents in Parc Guell

 

When tourists flock in masses to Las Ramblas, thinking they’re enjoying Barcelona, they have no idea of what the real Barcelona is all about.

The disconnection between the center and the local residents in Barcelona , is more brutal here than anywhere else I’ve ever been to. We don’t like Las Ramblas. We don’t like Plaça Catalunya. It’s impossible to walk around there. It’s impossible to enjoy a meal, because the prices exclude the locals.

 

 

People here are fed up with mass tourism. A type of tourism that doesn’t empower the city and the culture, who disrespects the residents and killed the city’s identity.

The center of Barcelona is now a place for the rich, the foreigners and for hotels. Who else can afford to live near the center? Who can afford to live in certain neighborhoods that are now considered “cool”? Where are the schools? The hospitals? The commerce that supports daily living? It was exchanged by souvenir shops that sell Mexican sombreros, by apartments for tourists…

 

 

TOURISTS VS TRAVELERS

There’s a famous rivalry between travelers vs tourists. Discussions around that are popular. With each end blaming and pointing fingers at each other.

The ones who support tourism, claim that travelers don’t spend much money, therefore, are basically useless for the economy. Whereas tourists come over to spend great sums of money.

Travelers blame tourists for the gentrification of the cities. for the destruction of culture and the rise of prices. We say tourists want their commodities no matter what, and don’ give a damn about the locals.

 

 

Generally speaking, many travelers seek real experiences and to explore their destination like a local. From eating in local owned businesses, to staying at small family hotels. But even travelers can destroy a destination when they’re coming in a mass scale.

Many short term tourists on the other hand,  want the all inclusive resorts, or the huge hotels part of international chains. They want to eat in good tourist restaurants. Mostly the foods they’re used to back home and usually have no interest in mixing with the locals. They come for short periods of time, loaded with money to spend and will take all types of odd activities like, using Tuk tuks that pollute the cities like crazy and have nothing to do with our culture.

 

Huge Anti-mass tourism and tourist apartments banners in Gracia neighborhood

 

All in all there’s space for both, as long as they’re done with ethics and respect for the ones who live here. Tourism has to support the local culture, not alienate it. Controlling what type of tourism comes in, is the responsibility of the local authorities.

Locals need to be encouraged to stay in their homes, by having basic infrastructures and by being able to afford their rents and taxes.

 

STOP TOURISM – more hotels means less neighbors. Gracia neighborhood

 

So yes, greed has taken advantage of mass tourism to destroy local neighborhoods and entire cities. Tourists have been careless to search for sustainable options, for valuing and respecting the local foods and cultures. A few number of residents working with tourism, have been greedy and sold themselves easily to whatever the tourist wishes for.

 

WHEN VISITING BARCELONA, CHOOSE TO COME DURING LOW SEASON. THIS WAY, YOU’LL ENJOY BETTER PRICES, AVOID THE CROWDS AND HELP KEEPING THE LOCAL ECONOMY SUSTAINABLE ALL YEAR ROUND.

 

DO YOU ABSOLUTELY LOVE GAUDI?

I do too. So let me tell you a little secret:  There a place, right near Barcelona called Colonia Guell, where you can actually witness some of the most stunning architecture, from the facades of private homes to a breathtaking beautiful Gaudi Church.

This place is a 30 minute ride from Barcelona city center and you won’t regret you’ve made you way there. And the local cafes would definitely appreciate the great benefits of having tourists around.

Find all the info here about Colonia Guell.

 

Colonia Guell

 

EXPLORE BARCELONA BEYOND BARCELONA CITY!

Did you know that beyond Barcelona city center, there’s a huge amount of possibilities?  Well, take a day trip out of the crowded streets and explore Barcelona from the sky!

This was the most amazing experience of my life so far and I’m incredibly sad, that many tourists miss such incredible activities that could turn their trips into memories forever!

When choosing a hot air balloon company, make sure they have a solid reputation and many years of experience. I flew with Kon Tiki balloon flights, with over 27 years of experience and a serious passion for hot air balloons! Highly recommended! And guess what? Our pilot was called Angel!

 

selfie

Selfie!

 

Did you know this is Spain’s biggest air balloon? What a treat!

 

hot air balloon

Sunrise in Barcelona province

 

 

hot air balloon

The most memorable experience of my life

 

VISIT THE MONTSERRAT MOUNTAINS AND THE VILLAGE OF COLLBATÓ

Here you can explore legends and myths, as well as surprisingly exciting caves and a monastery filled with stories!

 

COLLBATO

 

AND WHY NOT HEAD UP TO COSTA BRAVA?

Costa Brava is home to the best beaches in Catalunya. So, Just 1 or 1 and a half hours away, you’ll find some of the most breath taking gems, you’d never experience if you were stuck in Barcelona city center.

 

COSTA brava

Tossa de Mar, a castle by the beach

 

EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF BARCELONA AND CATALUNYA, BEYOND THE CROWDS AND HELP KEEPING TOURISM A SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE FOR THE LOCAL PEOPLE.

 

For more info about mass tourism in Barcelona read:

The Guardian – Mass tourism has killed Barcelona

The Daily Mail – Mass tourism turns Barcelona into a theme park

Sustainability an empowerment of local communities:

Native American tourist attractions

Sustainable tourism in easy steps

11 Comments

  1. Spot on Yara. I am seeing that more and more around the world, and each time the old debate arises. It’s happening here in Milan as well, with prices of everything trebling around Expo. Us locals have had our taxes raised and services cut, will have to put up with six months of discomfort and we don’t even get free tickets to the fair. I think it has to do with the horrid way the world is going – I’m disgusted by it.

  2. try here “nice and cosy” in horta,
    barcelona!!

  3. I am a New Yorker and now live in Costa del Sol. Barcelona is by far my favorite city in Europe. I hear what you’re saying and I can understand. The only thing I can say is that this gentrification, skyrocketing real estate and vasts amounts of money are being poured into major cities all over the world. New York, my home, looks nothing like it did even 5 years ago and every time I go back, it changes more and more. This is how it’s going to be now with globalization and mass migration. Still, I hope that some cities (New York is NOT one of them) are able to maintain some of the spirit that made it unique. I hope Barcelona is able to do that.

  4. Thanks for writing this article. I really enjoyed it!

    I am from Barcelona but I live in Chicago right now. Barcelona has changed so much in the last 10 years that sometimes it’s hard to remember the way it was. I always recommend to visit Barcelona to everybody, but I try to educate people about our culture, language and the special things that matter to locals, I want them to understand the real Barcelona and their citizens the way that truly are. With respect and integration Barcelona can still be saved. It’s sad to see this evolution…

  5. This is indeed a sad story, and it’s definitely happening to cities all over the world. I absolutely notice the same thing in Berlin, but to be honest, coming from London, a city where no one that I know lives in the centre, and it’s been like that since I was a child, it seems almost normal to me that the centre of a big city is an unaffordable place to live for locals. I guess it’s a shame, and it shouldn’t be that way, but that’s what happens.

  6. Loved Barcelona, we were there in October it was busy with tourist but not over crowded. I remember seeing those signs hanging from locals balconies. I hope to get back to Barcelona soon, but avoid the peak tourism season.

    • Avoiding peak season is the best thing tourists and travelers can do to a city. :)

  7. It has been a five years since I have been to Barcelona. Both times I have visited were in the spring so I guess I have not been there when it was really crowded.

    It is my favorite city and I wonder if it has changed in that time. I do know that I had no problem getting away from all the crowds by walking a few streets away from where they were. It was like being in a different world.

  8. I couldn’t understand what the hype with Las Ramblas was. I just wanted to get the hell out of there. Love Barcelona though. So awesome when you get off the main strips.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Barcelona Mass Tourism - Destroying Local Culture - […] local resident, Yara Coelho from Heart of a Vagabond, who discussed this very topic of how tourism is out…
  2. Vegan Barcelona? Eat with Locals! - Heart of a Vagabond - […] Barcelona has been affected by one of the most overwhelming waves of mass tourism, poorly managed by local authorities.…

Leave a Reply to Jeff Cancel reply