In the summer of 2017, three major issues have focused the public sphere (public opinion) in Barcelona. The strike of the access controllers at the airport, the inexhaustible saga of the referendum of October the 1st and tourism phobia.
On this last point, some direct actions of youth groups linked to the CUP have on social networks and print and broadcast media.Tourism represents approximately 15% of GDP in the city and, therefore, it is dangerous to give the image that tourists are not welcome in Barcelona.
But citizens reactions against tourism are not new, several years ago persist, as the ecological footprint of tourism is felt increasingly.
“The beach and its surroundings become massive tourism consumption products: every time thousands of rent lads occupy large areas of the beach in a new mode of privatization and commercialization of the public space. And a place where the false moral of some prevent such natural and ancient practices as nudism, practiced without problems during our days on our beaches. Snack bars and bars extend their invasive terraces along the litoral, while everyday commerce disappears shifted by stores of souvenirs and fast food. Even mobility is conditioned by an avalanche of vehicles such as rental bicycles, segways, go-cars and others, which fill the narrow streets of La Barceloneta and the entire Passeig Marítim, as we see in all the Old Town . Added to that is the expulsion of neighbors transformation storey house in tourist apartments, a drama that denounce years. This practice, which destroys the social fabric, coexistence and living conditions, has recently risen in the neighborhood of La Barceloneta, a series of protests that come to blaze with the increasingly numerous voices against a city model that ignores the neighborhood and only seeks the benefit of a few”.
In November 2014, Zosen and Mina Hamada, in collaboration with GR170, performed a mural at the Polidor Center of Sant Adrià de Besòs (hop Festival) , which explains the origin of this “tourism phobia”- As they explain
“We used typical Barcelona icons revisited with our vision of the city. As a big patchwork or publicity banners we talk about tourism industry, gentrification, police brutality, government hipocresy, political corruption, national pride, mass media…
As the slogan from the city says: “Barcelona la millor botiga del món”
(Barcelona the best shop of the world) wow!“
As the slogan from the city says: “Barcelona la millor botiga del món”
(Barcelona the best shop of the world) wow!“
In a context
so….?
