YouTuber visits Spanish city who want UK tourists to stay away – and one thing surprises him

A YouTube travel vlogger recently shared his experience of visiting a Spanish city that is actively discouraging UK tourists from visiting, with one significant surprise during his trip. Ben Morris, the YouTuber, flew to Barcelona, a popular city in Spain that has been facing a backlash from locals due to the overwhelming number of tourists flooding the area. Reports have shown that residents in Barcelona have been expressing their displeasure with the influx of holidaymakers through various means such as water gun battles and placing stickers with messages like ‘tourists go home.’

Ben Morris documented his visit to Barcelona on his YouTube channel, highlighting how he felt the locals treated him differently as a tourist compared to the residents. He recounted an incident at a local tapas restaurant where he and other tourists were seated in a less desirable area of the establishment while there were plenty of free tables available in a more attractive location. The anti-tourist sentiment in Barcelona peaked in June when residents staged a protest targeting travellers using water pistols to convey the message that tourists were not welcome in their city. The demonstration, involving around 2,800 participants, aimed to address the issue of overtourism and its impact on Barcelona’s economy, with protestors holding signs reading ‘Tourists go home’ and ‘Barcelona is not for sale.’

Ben Morris offered his perspective on why some locals might be unwelcoming towards tourists, pointing out the high cost of accommodation in the city as a contributing factor. Despite the tensions between tourists and residents, Barcelona continues to attract a large number of visitors, leading to a city filled with tourists in almost every street, especially in the city centre. The clash between locals and tourists in Barcelona reflects a broader issue of overtourism and the challenges faced by popular travel destinations in balancing the economic benefits of tourism with the preservation of local culture and quality of life for residents.

In conclusion, the story of Ben Morris’s visit to Barcelona sheds light on the complexities surrounding tourism in popular cities and the impact it can have on local communities. The clash between residents and tourists underscores the need for sustainable tourism practices that prioritize the well-being of both visitors and locals to ensure harmonious coexistence and the preservation of cultural heritage.