Is Mass Tourism Ruining Barcelona and Ibiza? | Foreign Correspondent

If you’re dreaming of a summer in Spain, you’re not alone. The nation is on track to overtake France as the world’s most visited country with around one hundred million international visitors expected this year. But you may be met with a hostile reception.

Protests and blockades against mass tourism have sprung up across the country with furious locals demanding action to quell the massive hordes of tourists taking over their cities and homes.

On Foreign Correspondent Europe Bureau Chief Mazoe Ford travels to two of the major hotspots - Barcelona and Ibiza. She finds a housing crisis, that many blame on Airbnb and other holiday rentals. She meets essential workers and people servicing the tourism industry who have been priced out of their homes. Others lament their very way of life is being destroyed by the tourists wanting a slice of Spanish life. For them, tourists are loving Spain too much.

While tourism is critical to the Spanish economy, employing more than three million people, many are asking is the cost of such success too high?

0:00 Welcome to Barcelona, living within peak tourist season
2:49 Ibiza, party island, one of the globes tourist hotspots
3:35 Meet Laura, Local activist who explains the impact tourism has on her home.
5:04 What in Ibiza need protecting?
7:21 How has Ibiza changed for locals following Mass Tourism?
8:34 Meet Alicia, who explains the sacrifices she’s been forced to make to survive in Ibiza
11:04 Meet Juanjo, Teacher, Teacher, who is forced to move every 6 months for the tourist season
15:07 In Barcelona, over 15 million people visit annually, forcing locals out of the city
16:11 Meet Eva, Barcelonan, who is feeling the pressure to hold onto her home.
18:18 Protests and Water pistols, the increasing tensions between locals and tourism
21:20 Following the protests, Airbnb is targeted by local governments
22:47 Airbnb responds to the criticism and policy changes
23:55 Has the protests and changes had an impact on tourists to the city?
24:57 How can Barcelona better navigate its relationship with tourists?

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