Mass anti-tourist protests in Europe expose major travel issue

Travel reporter Chantelle Francis unpacks why local residents in several key tourist locations in Southern Europe, including Spain, Italy and Portugal, have broken out into passionate protests using coloured gas bombs and water pistols against visiting tourists, exposing a major social, economic and cultural issue that has been building since the COVID pandemic. Anti‑tourism protests erupted across Europe as locals fight back against overwhelming visitor numbers. Dramatic scenes in Spain, Italy and Portugal on 15 June 2025 saw a protester in Majorca brandishing an axe while confronting dining tourists. In Barcelona, demonstrators used water guns and smoke bombs, placing "go home" stickers on hotels and businesses. The unrest highlights growing tensions between residents and tourism in popular destinations. Locals cite worsening housing crises, unaffordable rents and environmental damage as their cities become "playgrounds for foreigners." Officials acknowledge these challenges but maintain that tourism remains essential to these economies. Destinations are responding with new measures including increased tourist taxes, visitor caps, restrictions on holiday rentals and cruise ships, and stricter entry requirements. Travel experts suggest visiting during off‑peak seasons, exploring beyond major attractions, and supporting locally‑owned businesses to reduce negative impacts. These demonstrations mark a critical moment in the global conversation about sustainable tourism and how communities can balance economic benefits with residents' quality of life.