La Barceloneta.
The management of tourism, which represents about 15% of GDP of barcelona.
In recent years there have been a number of associations of locals, recognizable by a yellow and blue flag hanging on the balcony, protesting against the invasion of tourism and its consequences.
Emblematic is the case of La Barceloneta, the traditional fishing district, where in recent years many families, around 25%, according to official data, are due to go away because of speculation. Private but also multi-national, they are buying, also thanks to the Spanish economic crisis, apartments that are then rented to tourists, for the whole season or just for a weekend, a weekend of parties full of alcohol not very like to the rest of the inhabitants of the building and of the region. The neighborhood, which is also the most popular beach of Barcelona, is changing the socio-cultural point of view. Historical stores in operation of a traditional population are closing; mini-market, many 24h-24h, bars and shops to rent the most different electrical individual transports are opening in the neighborhood. The hours of sleep of the local residents decreased a lot because of the confusion in the streets and in the bars at night. And the tranquility of the neighborhood seems lost.
The reaction of local, now organized in associations, is strong, a direct channel has been opened with the City council where are denounced those the apartments rented to “tourists” so that the City can control the legality. The town itself has temporarily suspended the license for new hotels and guest-houses in the neighborhood. Even the classic Airbnb, can be done with a high taxation, but only by the property owner, in theory.
The time to save this historical neighborhood is ending but the tourists passing by Barcelona, don’t realize it.
