Under the slogan: "Enough is enough! Let's limit tourism", around 2,800 demonstrators, according to the police, marched on July 6th in Barcelona to demand a change in the city's economic model, which is the most visited in the country.

"We have nothing against tourism, but we are against excessive tourism because it makes the city unlivable", explained Jordi Guiu, a 70-year-old sociologist from Barcelona.

Behind a banner reading "Reduce Tourism Now!", the protesters marched, chanting "Get Tourists Out of Our Neighborhoods", stopping in front of hotels, to the surprise of visitors.

Critics of excessive tourism mainly denounce its effect on housing prices - rents have increased by 68% in the last decade, according to the Barcelona City Hall - as well as its adverse effects on local businesses, the environment, and the working conditions of local employees.

"Everyday shops are closing to make way for a business model that doesn't meet the neighborhood's needs. People (...) can't afford the rents anymore, they have to leave", complains Isa Miralles, a 35-year-old musician living in the Barceloneta neighborhood.

Barcelona received over 12 million tourists last year, according to the municipal council.

To facilitate housing for residents, the City Hall recently announced its intention to end apartment rentals to tourists by 2029.

From the Balearic Islands to the Canary Islands, through major tourist cities in Andalusia such as Malaga, the number of anti-tourism movements in Spain is increasing.

The second most popular tourist destination in the world after France, Spain received a record number of 85.1 million foreign visitors last year. The most visited region was Catalonia, with 18 million visitors, followed by the Balearic Islands (14.4 million) and the Canary Islands (13.9 million).

Tourism in Spain represents 12.8% of GDP and provides 12.6% of jobs.