Barcelona calls for a massive demonstration to demand the reduction of tourism. On June 12, 2024, several entities and groups presented at a press conference the unified demonstration PROU! – Let’s set limits to tourism. This demonstration will take place on July 6 in Barcelona. They will also be present in Girona, both demonstrations at the same time.
In this presentation, the Manifesto for the Reduction of Tourist Activity was presented, which was prepared by the Assembly of Neighborhoods for the Reduction of Tourist Activity. It has more than 200 individual signatures, most of them from well-known voices in the world of science and culture.
Barcelona calls for a demonstration: 00Arguments of the demonstration and the manifesto
Both the manifesto and the July demonstration present the same arguments in relation to the decrease in tourism due to overexploitation of the city and the need to change the economic model. This generates economic dependence that is evidenced in the expulsion from the neighborhood, job insecurity, loss of community spaces, weakening of the commercial fabric, social injustices and increased inequalities.
Aspects to be highlighted in the Manifesto for the Reduction of Tourist Activity
In addition to other aspects to highlight such as social and economic injustices, high influence of business groups in the city, increase in public services benefiting the tourism sector, decline in the climate crisis and environmental conditions, commodification of the city’s heritage and an impoverished local culture.
Request for response to impacts
The Manifesto for the Reduction of Tourism Activity calls for a response to these impacts. Taking into account the following measures: the promotion of tourism is not carried out with public money and subsidies and tax exemption in this sector. In addition to stopping all airport and port infrastructure expansion. Macro-events such as the America’s Cup, decrease in the supply of tourist accommodation, progressive reduction of cruise ship traffic until they disappear.
Improving working conditions in the tourism sector
It is also requested to improve labor conditions in the tourism sector, diversification of the economy that gives priority to activities without carbon footprint and in strategic sectors in life. The objective is to accompany the training of people working in the tourism sector in other areas of work.
Barcelona calls for a demonstration: Details of the demonstration
The participants will make their way through the streets of downtown Barcelona until they reach the City Hall, where they will read all the demands of the demonstrators which are written in the manifesto.
This demonstration in Barcelona will demand a reduction in the volume of tourism that reflects dissatisfaction among residents with the current tourism model. It is essential that solutions be provided as the city continues to attract millions of visitors. This demonstration will make the voice of the participants heard, demanding a just and sustainable future for Barcelona.
