We went to Spain, Madrid and Barcelona a few years ago, and stayed outside the tourist area. With public transport, there is no need to stay smack in front of the main square. It allowed us to go to small, family-owned restaurants, shops etc. It was great.
Thank you for the video. It was a nice attempt to discuss the overtourism issue in Barcelona. However, I can't entirely agree with your advice on staying on Airbnb in Barcelona. We locals really dislike Airbnbs as they are one of the contributing factors to the increasing house prices. Even as a person who earns more than the average Spanish salary, I am struggling to rent, even a room, in Barcelona city centre, and Airbnbs are a major reason behind it.
Airbnbs are regulated in Barcelona, so only properties with official licenses can engage in this business. However, not all of them are legal. That’s why house prices increase during the summer for short-term rentals. I recommend staying in legal, official accommodations like available hotels or hostels for your visit. If you really want to stay in someone’s house, perhaps you can try Couchsurfing instead of renting a short-term property that is not legal. If you cannot find a place like this for your stay at the moment, consider trying another time of the year to be a less hazardous visitor.
>30yrs ago, while backpackiing europe, I purposing skipped your town because of all the stories of how busy you guys were (olympics 1992).. I can only imagine how bad it maybe now
This was very interesting, thank you so much for sharing. I love to travel but find myself drawn to the local, lesser known or visited areas, it’s more authentic and you really get to know the people and the cultural.
Thank you for solving the problem of youth unemployment in Spain. Did this idea occur to you while drinking sangria served by a Pakistani on Las Ramblas?
Barcelona citizen here. A couple of weeks ago this August, thanks to the tourists from the Airbnb apartments who broke (again) the elevator over the weekend with the weight of their suitcases (despite the warnings inside the elevator) my 80-year-old parents, and specifically my father who is in a wheelchair and who live on the 6th floor, had to come and live in my apartment until the technicians came to repair it (because it was a summer vacation period and also a weekend). Some of the older neighbors who live in the building were unable to go outside for the same reason. F-CK Airbnb! Tourist go home!!
I’m really sorry to hear about your situation. It must have been incredibly challenging for you and your family. It’s frustrating when tourism impacts the lives of locals like this. Thank you for sharing your experience here.
Just over 4 years ago every place in the world was begging for tourists because of Covid. I believe the lack of being able to travel during Covid has been the main contributor to over tourism. Cheap flights and cruises that were offered to get business going again has had a ripple effect but in a bad well for locals.
You can't fix this problem by changing behavior. The only real lever you have is the artificial creation of scarcity. And the mechanism by which you employ that lever is price. To actually moderate demand, you must substantially increase price. You will get a "higher quality" tourist - at least in terms of spending power. You will not get some egalitarian queue divorced from economic means. Is that what you want? There is an unspoken undercurrent in this discussion. "Cheap airline flights have opened up travel to a large number of people who couldnt previously afford it." It seems people don't want to face the implications of the solutions they seek.
We went to Spain, Madrid and Barcelona a few years ago, and stayed outside the tourist area. With public transport, there is no need to stay smack in front of the main square. It allowed us to go to small, family-owned restaurants, shops etc. It was great.
What a problem but great tips on how to minimize the issue. Thank you for addressing this issue Jen!!
Thanks for watching! I'm glad you found the tips helpful!
Thank you for the video. It was a nice attempt to discuss the overtourism issue in Barcelona. However, I can't entirely agree with your advice on staying on Airbnb in Barcelona. We locals really dislike Airbnbs as they are one of the contributing factors to the increasing house prices. Even as a person who earns more than the average Spanish salary, I am struggling to rent, even a room, in Barcelona city centre, and Airbnbs are a major reason behind it.
Thanks for your input about Barcelona. When I do return to Barcelona, where would you suggest besides an Airbnb, hotel or Pension or
Airbnbs are regulated in Barcelona, so only properties with official licenses can engage in this business. However, not all of them are legal. That’s why house prices increase during the summer for short-term rentals. I recommend staying in legal, official accommodations like available hotels or hostels for your visit.
If you really want to stay in someone’s house, perhaps you can try Couchsurfing instead of renting a short-term property that is not legal. If you cannot find a place like this for your stay at the moment, consider trying another time of the year to be a less hazardous visitor.
>30yrs ago, while backpackiing europe, I purposing skipped your town because of all the stories of how busy you guys were (olympics 1992).. I can only imagine how bad it maybe now
This was very interesting, thank you so much for sharing. I love to travel but find myself drawn to the local, lesser known or visited areas, it’s more authentic and you really get to know the people and the cultural.
Tourists are a good source of income. Young people in Spain are experiencing a 23 % unemployment rate.
Tourists provide them with jobs.
Seasonal jobs rely on EU subsidies to keep workers housed and eating during the low season.
Thank you for solving the problem of youth unemployment in Spain. Did this idea occur to you while drinking sangria served by a Pakistani on Las Ramblas?
@@smartkitville7167 When I gave tips at restaurants,hotels and taxis.
@@ytl90 thank you bwana!
Barcelona citizen here. A couple of weeks ago this August, thanks to the tourists from the Airbnb apartments who broke (again) the elevator over the weekend with the weight of their suitcases (despite the warnings inside the elevator) my 80-year-old parents, and specifically my father who is in a wheelchair and who live on the 6th floor, had to come and live in my apartment until the technicians came to repair it (because it was a summer vacation period and also a weekend). Some of the older neighbors who live in the building were unable to go outside for the same reason. F-CK Airbnb! Tourist go home!!
I’m really sorry to hear about your situation. It must have been incredibly challenging for you and your family. It’s frustrating when tourism impacts the lives of locals like this. Thank you for sharing your experience here.
Had to play this video in 2x speed.
Just over 4 years ago every place in the world was begging for tourists because of Covid. I believe the lack of being able to travel during Covid has been the main contributor to over tourism. Cheap flights and cruises that were offered to get business going again has had a ripple effect but in a bad well for locals.
It's crazy how things have changed in just a few years. Thanks for bringing up this point.
You can't fix this problem by changing behavior. The only real lever you have is the artificial creation of scarcity. And the mechanism by which you employ that lever is price. To actually moderate demand, you must substantially increase price. You will get a "higher quality" tourist - at least in terms of spending power. You will not get some egalitarian queue divorced from economic means. Is that what you want?
There is an unspoken undercurrent in this discussion. "Cheap airline flights have opened up travel to a large number of people who couldnt previously afford it." It seems people don't want to face the implications of the solutions they seek.
It's going to get worse before it gets better. Mark my words.
Tourist go home
STOP REPRODUCING!