Visit Barcelona chief criticises ‘sad’ overtourism protests

Visit Barcelona chief executive Mateu Hernández has voiced disappointment about overtourism demonstrations, which were held in the city last summer and planned again for this year.

Last year’s protests attracted worldwide media attention after a small number of activists squirted tourists with water pistols. The upcoming action is scheduled for June 15 in Barcelona and other European cities.

Hernández said: “It’s sad that a small minority are telling us that what we’re doing is bad.”

He added: “It’s unfortunate and it’s sad for cities like Barcelona and Palma – that have been investing a lot of thought, money, hours and capacity to make tourism sustainable – to be [accused] of bad practices in tourism.”

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He said the proper response to criticism was not only to react but to “lead”, adding: “Tourism is a prosperous sector that can make prosperous citizens and prosperous cities.”

Outlining the city’s clampdown on “illegal beds”, he said the issue remained the council’s “number one priority” but considerable success had already been achieved.

“No residents and no neighbours are renting their apartments out illegally,” he said, adding: “Only the mafia are doing it.”

Palma Tourism managing director Pedro Homar said residents in the Majorcan capital felt that “public and private tourist infrastructure” were not part of their day-to-day life.

In an attempt to change that, the city plans to host a year’s worth of free activities exclusively for proven residents.

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