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Southern Europe Activists Plan Anti-Tourism Protests with Airport Disruptions Possible

Protest groups across Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal coordinate actions targeting tourism, citing housing crises and environmental degradation.

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Protesters march along Gran Via during a demonstration against rent prices in Barcelona, Spain last year (Photo: Bloomberg/Getty)
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Overview

  • The SET European Network Against Touristification held a summit in Barcelona, planning coordinated Europe-wide protests for June 15, with potential airport demonstrations under consideration.
  • In the Canary Islands, local activist group Canarias tiene un límite will launch a new campaign on May 18, targeting symbolic tourist spaces and public events to demand tourism reforms.
  • Protesters argue that mass tourism has driven up rents, halved long-term housing availability, and harmed local environments, creating severe challenges for residents.
  • The Spanish government announced a €1.3 billion, decade-long social housing plan funded by the EU, aiming to mitigate the housing crisis exacerbated by tourism pressures.
  • The Canary Islands government, led by Tourism Minister Jessica de León, is finalizing sweeping tourism regulations to align with social and environmental realities, including stricter rules for holiday rentals and construction standards.