Barcelona travel agencies admit concern over 'tourismphobia'

Travel agencies admit there is concern about "tourismphobia" and are committed to "bringing and seeking solutions" to resolve conflicts between visitors and residents. 

"It is clear that there is friction and that we must be able to resolve it," Jordi Martí, the president of Barcelona-based travel agency association Acave, said on Thursday. 

With Barcelona mayor announcing on ban on tourist apartments from 2028, Martí has called for "dialogue" and said the focus should be on illegal tourist lets. 

The association also announced that bookings this summer were up between 5% and 15% on 2023 for 55% of travel agencies. 

'Friction' 

"It is clear that we have double the number of visitors compared to 10-15 years ago and it is clear that there is friction," Martí said at a press conference at the University of Barcelona, where the sector is holding a forum. 

He emphasized that tourism should not be viewed "in a negative way" and pointed out that more people were traveling outside of high season.  

With regard to the ban on tourist apartments in Barcelona from 2028 and the sector's response (compensation claims totaling €1 billion), Martí called for dialogue between the parties and reiterated that it is illegal apartments that are the problem. 

Anti-tourism protests 

Around 3,000 people from 140 different organizations took to the streets of Barcelona in July in protest against the "massive influx of tourists" in the city that "exacerbates" social inequality, problems of access to housing, and the environmental crisis. 

The march hit international headlines after protesters attacked tourists in the city with water pistols. 

Barcelona Tourism has changed its decade-long slogan of 'Visit Barcelona' amid the anti-tourism protests. The new motto is: 'This is Barcelona'.