Spain locals flee in their droves and warn UK tourists of 'consequences'
UK tourists are causing Spanish locals to "flee" after demonstrations and protests this week. European Union holidaymakers have been warned sentiment against tourism in growing in several European cities with UK tourists at the centre of the complaints.
In San Sebastian, Spain, demonstrators marched on Sunday through the streets of the old city. France24 reported: "For more information, FRANCE 24’s Gavin Lee interviews one of the organisers, Amaia Oulad, with Bizilagunekin Organization for Tourism Degrowth in Donostia.
"Further analysis with Sarah Morris, FRANCE 24 correspondent in Madrid." Amaia Oulad from the organisation said that San Sebastian has reached the limit in terms of how many tourists it can accommodate, as locals are already being forced to leave.
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She told France24 : "We are fighting since 2018, asking for tourism de-growth in our city. We think that this sector has an effect in a lot of aspects of our lives and it has too much weight in our economy. We need to put limits to this business ... It's not only about overcrowded streets, this is a consequence of tourism but it's affecting all of the aspects of our lives.
"[It's affecting] housing; we have a housing emergency in our city, [and] the precariousness of the working conditions of workers in the tourism sector. The community neighbourhoods are weak nowadays because we can't live in our town, we have to go to live in another town, so we are on the limit (sic)."
Bizilagunekin said: "Tourism, which for a few is the golden goose, is an economic model which is choking the rest of us." In reply, a viewer said: "In Spain you need to have a Touristica, a tourist license to rent out your property. So, just stop issuing them, revoke some and clamp down on those renting without one. Problem solved."
"Yet yesterday the Spanish said they relied on tourism. They either want it or they don't. Make your minds up," said another.