Before Visit Barcelona In March, I read headlines with a healthy combination of doubt and anxiety since they announced: “Tourists sprayed with water guns. Barcelona shouts: ‘Tourists’ home! More systematic demonstrations’ “.
The image he had was a people who were tired of the coming and going economies. Can’t escape: My balance may contribute to the problem. I was traveling to run the city marathon – One of his biggest international events- I wondered that I would not have chosen the wrong moment. As usual, there were more nuances for reality.
Great events make a lot of money but a lot of audiences
Las International marathons They are a The best business. Its main supporter, Bank of America, the marathon Cicago Created some of the 2022 340 million eurosIt created nearly 3,000 jobs and paid 145 million euros in the local economy.
The Barcelona marathon He was not that amount, but 27,000 people joined the March race and 7,000 more than ever. The number of persons approximately They will carry nine days Crores In full potential.
Will the city get angry from another Visitors’ attendance Greetings GothicGive a banquet in the Marvel and Markets in the Greatest Created Works? Everything. They didn’t get me with water guns — but they would have been welcomed 42 kilometers-, but with the shouting of the incentive.
Thousands of neighbors gathered on the streets. The energy was electric. The city was proud. None of this is surprising. The Marathons have not yet become the target of opponents against tourism, however Marathon tour It is increasing. Nevertheless, the tension is real, and it is not difficult to find the effects of the massacre.
Why some Barcelona reaches the limit
Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe. More than 12 million people visit this every year, about five million people go to the goal and park Holy family. The pressure on these places – and the people who live nearby – are enormous.
However, Travel refers to more than 125,000 jobs Almost 15%of the city’s economy. For many local people, this is not about Block Tourism. This is about finding a constant balance.
“Barcelona The most quiet city.
“That, I won’t deny it Travel has grown greatly in recent yearsWe are not enough, because no government is interested in raising it seriously, and some areas are huge. “
During my journey, designated places La Rampla and La Sakrada Famia were crowdedDespite the time when gray, humid and unpredictable. I saw in a restaurant – with the patience of a monk – the poster “Only Reserve” has been rejected again to restaurants who ignored the “Reserve” and always came to hear a table in English.
In Park Koil, confused visitors, they don’t know what they want Booking online entriesThey were with enthusiastic workers. There, I heard that an employee shouted a Spanish -speaking couple: “What a miracle to hear Spanish talk on this site!”.
Travel and short -term rents, under examination
Most of the tensions are from the way people visit the city. At the most contradictory points Short -term rents And travel tour. Many apartments have changedAirbnbs, A problem that creates severe household problems in Spain Leaving the locals out of the game, it quietly turns the streets in party areas.
“We have no suburbs here”According to Irish and co-founder of Runner Bean Tours, who lives in Barcelona for nearly 20 years, says foreigner Ann-Mary Franigan. “There are people who do not know much about the neighborhoods or live on the stairs. It costs me many years to get used to me.”
Prannigan says Many tourists usually sit on the balcony Or terraces Drink a lot and talk a lot After midnight, Barcelona is a barrier in communities. “If you want to be fun and want to go out, you have to go to areas where you want to go out,” says on-Mary.
AdvertisementIn the meantime, Travelers They evacuate thousands of tourists who are rarely enough time to significantly contribute to the local economy. Last May, Barcelona’s Mayor Jam Golfoni warned that the size of short -term passengers Completed the popular parts And public transport. “We reach a limit. We have to put a stop (a day visitors),” he said.
He Cultural cost It is equally concerned. Historical bars, restaurants and markets are being renewed in accordance with the taste of many passers -by, and the cutter shops are now occupied by historical buildings in the birth and Gothic neighborhood.
What can passengers do differently
However, beyond the big attractions, Barcelona is still less saturated and more effective. He Sand Bao Modern Blocking It provides the extraordinary view of this art movement in Barcelona, which offers the end of the street with a part of the holy family.
Small coffee shops like Tolston and SIP combine local fried grains to a friendly service. Less places like historical San Antonio Market And Pindcos -type Bask is the favorite Alternatives against the hectic locations. This is the type of experiences that Luke recommends.
Advertisement“The Great Memorials – Socrata Famia, La Gaza Badley, Picasso Museum – Amazing, but It is worth trying to meet other placesLike the surroundings of Paul No or Sands, everything is very real, ”says Luke.
Merchat Del Ninode and Mercat de Calvanni recommends and promotes Luke above the crowded Pogviria Passenger To explore the quiet corners of Examples, he warns that “Pasio is not only surrounded by de Crazia, but also a wonderful but very busy street.”
Tannican recommends places like Montjuk and Gurris if you want to see the local sides of the city – and unattended. “The Montjuk Tomb is completely preciousNo one goes there, ”he says,” Art Novio Style Tomb, built by the capitalism of the city for their loved ones at the beginning of the 20th century. “
Clarice, he also says, offers a window The modern architecture of the cityThe best design of Barcelona, including the marketing of the Esdar market. And promotes to view Feyz People Instead of adults like Merke. “All neighborhoods celebrate two per year, food and sardanas,” says Franigan. “They will give you more local feeling,” he says.
AdvertisementTo meet the local label – and this helps to follow. Luke is on Some suggestions. Don’t go without d -shirtSays. Avoid the clown in the residential neighborhood. Drink on the street? It is not allowed. And Learn a few phrases in learning or Spanish. “A ‘Crasses’ thanks or ‘Hello’ always helps, and a smile opens many doors,” says Luke.
Barcelona is in a crossroad?
At the recent summit in the city, opponent Elena Poshi issued a sharp statement to the existing media: “We want to have a certain amount of situation for tourists: without fear, no change”. His words underline the growing tension between a city It depends on tourism But fight Manage its impactA transparent tension for anyone who visits the city.
The atmosphere is more unstable than ever before: On June 15, protesters plan protests across EuropeBarcelona, Venice, Lisbon and beyond. But it is clear that Barcelona is not a severe antiduristic. Simply ask another type of tourists: eagerly and asks like appearance.
