Demonstrators use water guns against tourists in Spain

In a growing backlash against mass tourism, demonstrators in Spain reportedly turned water pistols on unsuspecting tourists in Barcelona and Mallorca on Sunday, as part of coordinated protests across southern Europe, as per reports. 

The protesters are calling for a re-evaluation of tourism-driven economic policies, which they believe are contributing to a housing crisis and diminishing the cultural identity of their cities.

According to reports, the demonstration in Mallorca drew several thousand participants, making it the largest of the day. Meanwhile, smaller but significant gatherings took place in other Spanish cities, as well as in Venice, Italy, and Lisbon, Portugal. The protests marked the first organized, cross-border action by activists concerned with the negative effects of overtourism.

In Barcelona, activists reportedly used water guns to symbolically express frustration, aiming at tourists sitting at outdoor cafés. Protesters claimed that the city had become overly dependent on tourism, leaving residents displaced and local culture compromised. In recent years, Barcelona has seen multiple large-scale demonstrations highlighting similar concerns, with protesters increasingly turning to high-visibility tactics to draw attention to the issue.