Saturday’s incident was part of a large anti-tourism rally attended by around 2,800 people under the slogan “Enough is enough! Limit tourism”. Protesters are calling for a reduction in the number of foreigners visiting Catalan cities and for a sustainable tourism model to be followed.
MailOnline reported that the water guns were aimed at tourists dining outdoors at a popular restaurant in Las Ramblas, although it is not clear whether the guns are capable of spraying powerful jets of water.
Locals say tourist overcrowding has made life difficult in the city, with too many businesses “not catering to the needs of our local neighbours”.
But what prompted protesters to take to the streets in droves?
Why are there protests?
Spain’s Socialist Housing Minister Isabel Rodriguez said she supported Barcelona’s decision.
On X (formerly Twitter), she wrote: “The aim is to make all efforts necessary to ensure access to affordable housing.”
Rents in Barcelona have risen 68 percent over the past decade and 18 percent over the past year, but the city’s affordable housing problem is not new: For years, residents in the city have been graffitiing walls with messages like “Tourists go home.”
“I’m not against tourism, but in Barcelona, too many tourists are making the city an unlivable place,” said Jordi Guiu, a 70-year-old sociologist.
“Local businesses are closing to make way for businesses that don’t serve the needs of the neighborhood, and residents can’t pay the rent,” resident Isa Miralles said.
Why are short-term rental plans so controversial?
When Corboni’s short-term rental plans were announced, Barcelona’s tourist apartment association Apartur said “Corboni is making a mistake that will lead to (further) poverty and unemployment.”
He added that the ban would lead to an increase in illegal tourist apartments.
But in a statement, Barcelona’s regional government said it would maintain a rigorous inspection regime to spot potential illegal tourist apartments even after the ban comes into force.
