17 Apr, 2024 @ 16:01
1 min read

Spain to investigate ‘anti-tourism’ among locals after wave of protests: Major survey will reveal how many people are REALLY critical of the industry

THE SPANISH government is set to conduct a public consultation on tourism, which has become a huge point of contention for the country. 

It will be carried out by Turespaña, Spain’s public tourism agency. 

The survey will focus on the social sustainability of tourism, including overcrowding and the negative impact of tourism growth. 

Due to be carried out this year, the government body aims to gather 26,000 local opinions using an online questionnaire. 

It will be divided into two 13,000 person waves and focus on 30 municipalities most affected by tourism, including Mallorca. 

READ MORE: Airbnb crackdown in Spain: Government wants to limit holiday flats in ‘saturated’ areas because they are ‘harming access to housing’ – following a wave of anti-tourism protests

Locals have long complained of overcrowding in tourist hotspots like Barcelona. Photo: Cordon Press

Deputy Director of Knowledge and Tourism Studies at Turespaña, Julio Lopez Astor, said: “Those that are against tourism make a lot of noise, but they aren’t necessarily the majority. 

“We’re looking for data to see if that’s true and find out the factors influencing this perception.

READ MORE: What’s behind the anti-tourism graffiti in Spain? Locals in Tenerife give their verdict as they insist ‘it’s nothing personal against tourists’

It’s essential that we understand this to manage Spain as a tourist destination. It could be that the outcome goes against tourism-phobia.” 

The consultation will take place in August, peak tourist time, and November, during the low season. 

It comes after waves of anti-tourism action across the country, including peaceful protests, graffiti, vandalism and posters designed to dissuade tourists from going to popular scenic areas.

READ MORE: ‘A tu puta casa!’: Anti-tourism arrives to Spain’s Costa del Sol with offensive stickers plastered outside Airbnbs in Malaga – as movement becomes more organised

Yzabelle Bostyn

Yzabelle Bostyn is an NCTJ trained journalist who started her journalistic career at the Olive Press in 2023.
Before moving to Spain, she studied for a BA in English Literature and Hispanic Studies at the University of Sheffield.
After graduating she moved to the university’s journalism department, one of the best in the UK.
Throughout the past few years, she has taken on many roles including social media marketing, copywriting and radio presenting.
She then took a year out to travel Latin America, scaling volcanoes in Guatemala and swimming with sharks in Belize.
Then, she came to the Olive Press last year where she has honed her travel writing skills and reported on many fantastic experiences such as the Al Andalus luxury train.
She has also undertaken many investigations, looking into complex issues like Spain’s rental crisis and rising cancer rates.
Always willing to help, she has exposed many frauds and scams, working alongside victims to achieve justice.
She is most proud of her work on Nolotil, a drug linked to the deaths of many Brits in Spain.
A campaign launched by Yzabelle has received considerable support and her coverage has been by the UK and Spanish media alike.
Her writing has featured on many UK news outlets from the Sun to the Mail Online, who contracted her to report for them in Tenerife on growing tourism issues.
Recently, she has appeared on Times Radio covering deadly flooding in Valencia.

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