From Barcelona to Málaga, protests are expected to erupt in Spain in the coming weeks – as locals argue they’ve been priced out of the ‘unsustainable’ property market
Sun-worshipping Brits have been warned over huge protests slated to erupt across Spain in the coming weeks. Fed-up locals argue they’ve been priced out of the ‘unsustainable’ property market due to ‘exorbitant’ prices – and will soon be demanding change.
Many residents believe sky-high house prices are being peddled by soaring demand for holiday homes and rentals – meaning the demonstration could be perceived as anti-tourist. It follows a series of protests last year which saw thousands of locals pit themselves against holidaymakers, even following the peak season of summer.
In desirable locations like San Sebastian in Spain’s mountainous Basque Country, locals lined the streets holding banners that read: “We are in danger; degrow tourism”. Even two hours south in the Canary Islands, placards ordering tourists to ‘go home’ were erected near hotels in Gran Canaria, while some Brits were even targeted with water pistols.
Despite the furore, Spain witnessed a whopping 94 million foreign tourists last year, a 10 per cent jump from the year before. This is predicted to rise to a record-breaking 100 million visitors this year, according to Jordi Hereu, minister of industry and tourism.
On Saturday, April 5, several Tenants’ Unions will ‘take to the streets’ to demand rent prices in popular hotspots are slashed by 50 per cent to make housing more accessible to ‘the working class’. Protestors will also demand long-term contracts so locals can ‘build a life’. Many properties in tourist-heavy areas have decided to rent out their accommodation to tourists looking for short-term stays, as this can generate a higher level of profit.
Local news reports that protestors in the ‘thousands’ will gather at 6pm on Plaça Espanya in Barcelona to urge officials to reform the housing sector. However, it won’t just be Barcelona getting involved in the action. On X (formerly Twitter) union members have been seen shaking their house keys in a video urging locals to participate in demonstrations across the country.
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Spain’s April 5 protests – where to avoid
- Catalonia – Covers Barcelona and beach resorts in the Costa Brava region
- Málaga, Costa Del Sol
- Gijón
- Seville
- Cádiz, Andalucia
- Vigo
- Madrid
- Zaragoza
Over in Majorca, it is reported that the movement Menys Turisme, Més Vida (less tourism, more life) has called a meeting to ‘regroup and redouble efforts’ ahead of the looming peak tourist season. Majorca Daily Bulletin states the group is ‘considering intensifying actions’ following a government campaign encouraging even more tourism to the island.
Will you be impacted by the protests? Email liam.gilliver@reachplc.com for a chance to share your story
