positive impacts of tourism in barcelona

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Responsible and sustainable tourism

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The Barcelona Declaration is a list of pledges the city has made for responsible and sustainable tourism. It was presented to the International Conference on Sustainable Tourism for implementation under the framework of the New Urban Agenda (Barcelona, 2017).

Since 2011 Barcelona has had the Biosphere responsible tourism certificate in line with the international criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

This is a Turisme de Barcelona (tourist board) programme that brings together various companies offering products for tourists that suggest places to go and services that allow visitors to enjoy the city in a sustainable way.

Accessible places, adapted hotels and barrier-free transport. This is a tourist board initiative to help people with disabilities get all the information they need on what the city offers to help them enjoy their visit.

The Strategic Tourism Plan for 2020 makes destination Barcelona’s sustainability a priority and indispensable goal.

Barcelona has been ramping up its efforts to fight against illegal accommodation and has launched a website where local residents and visitors can verify their accommodation has a permit.

Close to Barcelona there is a host of options for you to enjoy your leisure time, the local culture and nature. A rich and diverse region located between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean sea, with over 100 kilometres of coastline and a stunning cultural heritage.

It's perfectly possible to enjoy the city without disturbing local residents' peace and quiet; everyone can get along together with mutual respect. The noise map shows noise levels by street section and is a tool to help check the city'sacoustic status.

Barcelona, a leader in sustainable tourism

Barcelona wants its residents and visitors to enjoy the many attractions that the city offers in a balanced way that respects the environment. So it promotes a model of tourism based on respect for the city's economic, social, environmental and cultural resources. As a result, and because it is always innovating, Barcelona has established itself as a tourist destination committed to sustainability, with responsibly managed tourism and a cross-cutting strategy which seeks to ensure it is a model that will endure well into the future.

Barcelona is...

Responsible.

For promoting tourism that shares environmental responsibility between visitors and residents, Barcelona has been accredited with Biosphere certification as a responsible tourist destination.

The cultural heritage, architecture and creativity of its artists make Barcelona an exceptional city.

Barcelona is a pioneering city in terms of its architectural adaptation of public spaces for everyone, as well as in proposing improvements for the elderly and people with reduced mobility.

Eco-friendly

Barcelona promotes green means of transport for both residents and visitors alike, including cycling, electric vehicles and public transport with low CO2 emissions.

Sustainable

A city with a top-quality model of tourism that fosters the potential of each and every one of its neighbourhoods.

A city open to everyone, with a wide range of possibilities for tourism related to social responsibility projects.

With a spirit of commitment to the environment, Barcelona believes in renewable energy, recycling and the implementation of measures to save both water and other resources.

The city's green spaces are one of its most attractive features. Montjuïc Park and Barcelona's green lung, the Collserola range, are examples of the perfect combination of nature and city.

Barcelona is within everyone’s reach

Flat and perfect for walking round, as well as being committed to easy accessiblity, Barcelona is a city that invites you to lose yourself in its streets and different neighbourhoods. On top of that, there are many eco-friendly ways of getting around and discovering the city.

The Bus Turístic (tourist bus) and Barcelona Walking Tours are a great way to enjoy sustainable tourism.

The city is also a pioneer in welcoming visitors with special needs.   Its urban transport network and public spaces are all adapted to this kind of visitor.

Innovative and eco-friendly tourism

Barcelona is a city made to be experienced from within: it allows visitors to mingle with its residents and enjoy its intense identity and artistic and cultural dynamism. It is a city that values and cares for its cultural and architectural heritage but which also opens it up to the people.

And Barcelona is also a clean city with Biosphere clean-city accreditation. It promotes separated waste management, low greenhouse gas emission transport, it is committed to renewable energy and takes care of its green spaces and beaches.

From museums adapted for blind people to visits in sign language,, Barcelona commitment to accessibility.

This is a building which has been renovated using bioconstruction material which promotes sustainability and environmental education of the general public.

This association brings together hotels and organisations in the Fòrum area that share values of social responsibility, environmental issues and cultural development.

This is an integrated travel card that helps visitors get around, using a single card for the different means of public transport.

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Here’s How Barcelona is at the Forefront of Urban Sustainable Tourism

Last Updated on November 22, 2023

I can’t quite put my finger on what makes Barcelona my favorite city. The cobblestone streets winding between architecturally stunning buildings along the Mediterranean.

The looming Pyrénées forever in the background, looking over every movement. Or perhaps the extraordinary, intricate Gaudí-inspired murals covering any once-blank surface.

The locals are friendly and the weather is splendid. And the wine and the tapas don’t hurt, either. All of the pieces combine to form—what is, to me—the perfect city. A hint of magic tinges everything in Barcelona.

Obviously, I had to dig in further. Is Barcelona as great on paper as it is in my mind? The answer seems to be, yes. Barcelona is one of the best examples of sustainable tourism done right. Here’s how Barcelona is combating overtourism, protecting its local culture, and keeping tourism a vibrant and sustainable part of its story.

Table of Contents

Sustainable Tourism Practices in Barcelona

Barcelona’s approach to making its tourism industry sustainable not only preserves the environment and supports local communities but also enriches the tourism experience.

The city’s policies and practices show Barcelona’s commitment to a sustainable future, making it a model for other cities aiming to balance the needs of tourism with environmental and cultural preservation. Here’s what the city is doing to balance its twin needs for sustainability and tourism.

Integrated Public Transportation

Barcelona boasts an extensive and efficient public transportation system, including buses, metros, and trams. This network reduces the reliance on cars, cuts down emissions, and offers tourists an easy way to explore the city sustainably.

Bike-Friendly City

The city’s investment in bike lanes and the Bicing bike-sharing program encourages both locals and tourists to opt for cycling, a low-impact way to see the city. This approach not only reduces traffic and pollution but also offers a healthier and more immersive way to experience Barcelona.

In practice, the city has dramatically expanded its bike lanes, making previously small, one-way bike lines dual carriages, and adding elements to better protect bikers from cars.

Green Spaces and Urban Parks

Barcelona is dotted with green spaces like Parc de la Ciutadella and Park Güell. These urban oases not only enhance the city’s beauty but also provide spaces for biodiversity, leisure, and a break from urban hustle, making the city more livable and visitable.

The city’s nine-year “Nature Plan” will culminate in a city that has a “functional, environmentally friendly infrastructure, well-distributed and accessible green spaces connected to the urban fabric and a green metropolitan transport network, with a view to maximising social and environmental services, above all those related with health and with adaptations to climate change.”

Energy-Efficient Buildings

The city has made strides in promoting energy-efficient building designs. Many of its hotels and public buildings are designed to minimize energy consumption, contributing to a reduction in the city’s carbon footprint.

Local and Organic Cuisine

Barcelona’s culinary scene increasingly emphasizes locally-sourced and organic ingredients. This not only supports local farmers and reduces food miles but also offers tourists an authentic taste of Catalan cuisine.

Locals will benefit above all, but this nine-part “Healthy and Sustainable Food Strategy” will trickle down to tourists through expanded access to seasonal foods at restaurants and in markets while visiting.

Sustainable Accommodations

The city is home to a growing number of eco-friendly hotels and hostels. These accommodations focus on sustainability through measures like energy conservation, waste reduction, and water-saving practices.

Cultural Preservation

Barcelona actively preserves its rich cultural heritage, including its iconic Catalan Modernism architecture. By maintaining these sites, the city not only protects its history but also provides a unique and authentic experience for visitors.

Waste Management and Recycling Policies

The city’s robust waste management and recycling programs help reduce the environmental impact of both residents and tourists. Visitors can easily participate in these initiatives, contributing to the city’s sustainability efforts.

Promotion of Local Artisans and Crafts

Encouraging the purchase of locally-made crafts and products not only supports the local economy but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with mass-produced tourist souvenirs.

Environmental Education and Awareness

Barcelona engages in efforts to educate both locals and visitors about environmental issues and sustainable practices. This includes information campaigns and initiatives in tourist spots, fostering a culture of sustainability that extends beyond just the local population.

Why Barcelona is a Win for Responsible Travelers

Barcelona is set up for sustainability..

Barcelona, the capital of the Spanish state of Catalonia, is one of the largest urban tourist destinations in the world. Ever since Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympics, it has become one of the largest global tourism hubs.

Even more, the city receives more cruise ships than any other city in the world.

As the city’s popularity grew, residents and officials from across Catalonia gathered to develop a tourism plan. They needed to deal with the tourism boom, and they decided to focus on ensuring sustainability at every level.

The plans would ensure that the city’s infrastructure could handle the crowds flocking to Barcelona each year—and the plans worked.

In 2011, Barcelona became the first city in the world to receive the Biosphere World Class Destination Certification by the Institute of Responsible Tourism. Additionally, the city received accolades for maximizing its water supply and conserving water usage .

The city is currently pursuing the title of “Electric Vehicle Capital of the World,” and it proudly touts its non-polluting public transport options—which have only expanded in the wake of the pandemic.

The city has clear sustainability goals and targets in for 2030 , which include “reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% per capita compared to 2005, increasing solar power generation fivefold, increasing urban green space by 1.6km, reducing travel by private motor vehicle by 20%, reducing domestic water consumption to less than 100 litres per inhabitant per day, and 100% procurement of low-carbon buses, taxis and municipal fleets (by 2025).”

This type of sustainability only comes when a city and community are committed to taking the long-term approach—Barcelona clearly has its sights set on developing a city designed for the needs of the future.

The farm-to-table and movement is a cultural cornerstone.

One of Barcelona’s best aspects may very well be the city’s food. There are so many options. And they are all so good . Tapas. Seafood. Pastas. Cheeses. Wines. Whether you’re vegetarian, meat-lover, or if you fall somewhere between, Barcelona has something for you.

As a city, the restaurants and people focus on slow food . Added to that, farm-to-table practices bring together restaurants and local suppliers; ingredients are locally sourced, fresh, and flavorful.

When you’re visiting Barcelona, it’s impossible to miss one of the cities 39 fresh food markets, where locals and tourists alike can buy affordable fresh fruit and vegetables to prepare flavorful cuisine.

Here are some excellent food recommendations if you prefer  sit-down restaurants  or  budget-friendly  Menu del Dia r estaurants .

Personally, I’m obsessed with the tapas. My favorite place is a hole-in-the-wall place called La Cova Fumada . They don’t have a website, and it’s only open until 4pm. Get there by 1pm to get a table. It’s family run, locally sourced, and is the best seafood you’ll ever eat.

A close second is Bar Bodega Quimet , which is famous for its  conservas —canned seafood. Don’t think of your typical “canned tuna” here— conservas are a deeply rooted Spanish tradition. Canning and preserving local goods so they last the entire year is a common practice and they taste nothing like the cans of tuna you buy at the grocery store.

Art is preserved and appreciated.

Art is everywhere in the city. Literally. From Gaudí’s house to the buildings he designed throughout the city, Gaudí’s huge influence on Barcelona is clearly evident.

I’m generally not a huge fan of touristy activities like touring people’s’ homes, but for Gaudí I make an exception. Casa Batllo  is phenomenal. Gaudí is known for saying “Originality is returning to the origin;” in his designs, he worked to imitate the perfection found in the wild.

Another favorite building, and a must-visit, is La Sagrada Familia .

Buildings aren’t the only art to be found in Barcelona. Street art everywhere in the city—take a street-art  tour  or just walk throughout the city to check out the masterpieces.

There are also many world-class museums  for a healthy dose of art history, or you can stroll through the city’s parks to see artists creating and selling their own masterpieces on the sidewalk.

If you ask nicely, they’ll often even give you a lesson in exchange for a tip. 🙂

More nature and less city is a long-term goal.

Everyone loves being outside in Barcelona. And why wouldn’t they? The moderate Mediterranean climate, the beaches, and the mountains all set the stage for spending free time outdoors.

The city’s spacious streets cater to pedestrians and cyclists alike. Barcelona is filled with parks; the most notable are Parc Guell and Parc de la Ciutadella. Far from your typical parks, these contain art, beautiful views, museums, zoos, and plenty of open space to hang out and enjoy the sun.

And since Barcelona is a city committed to making sustainability a foundational element, it has embarked on an ambitious project that is reclaiming the streets and turning the city back into a place locals can enjoy and thrive, where nature is even closer.

The city’s superilles (superblocks), which have been rolling out for the past few years, are “transforming the streets of Barcelona into more human friendly spaces, reclaiming the areas used by cars for pedestrians and bringing nature back to traffic zones.”

And if you need to escape the city for the day, the trains and buses make that a breeze. You can easily plan a low-impact day on the environment.

Hiking to the monastery at Montserrat is an spectacular one, or go further afield into Catalunya. Hike in the foothills of the Pyrénées for amazing views of the Mediterranean and the entire city. Walk the Cami de Ronda along the Costa Brava and swim in the Mediterranean.

The train connects the city to a number of walking routes that hug the gorgeous coastline and are easily one of the best ways to enjoy a nature-based day trip outside the city.

You can hit the trail to walk across Spain.

Barcelona is one of the many starting points for El Camino de Santiago —the pilgrimage trail through the Pyrénées that ends in Santiago de Compostela on the western coast of Spain. 

Pilgrims usually start in Spain or France, but trails weave through Italy, Germany, Switzerland and beyond. In France, it is known as Le Chemin de Saint Jacques .

El Camino has been on my to-do list for years, but I always manage to find myself booked in the summer (and not brave enough to do it in the winter); it’s pretty cool that starting in Barcelona is an option.

Cindy is a traveler with an insatiable urge to immerse herself in other cultures. She traveled around the world for six years and has lived everywhere from Bangalore to Alaska and across four continents. She is passionate about supporting local communities and finding ways to support communities.

She volunteers long-term in the places she lives as an expat and strives to show people that the world is actually quite small. While we have many different languages, cultures, customs and lifestyles, we have the same items affecting our lives every day. Shares her adventures on her blog, Casilocal and on Instagram.

The positive impact of Tourism in Barcelona

by Pili Malagarriga | May 30, 2019 | Barcelona , Culture , Hotel Continental , Hotel Palacete | 0 comments

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Do you want to discover what is the positive impact of tourism in barcelona.

We analyze in this post how tourism has evolved in Barcelona, ??what Barcelonians think about it and what reputation give the people who visit us.

With the internet arrival and the liberalization of air transport, the world has become increasingly smaller.

The ease of organizing a trip at affordable prices has generated the global phenomenon of the “tourism boom”.

According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO) based in Madrid, the number of international tourists (overnight visitors) worldwide grew by 7% in 2017, to 1,322 million tourists, a rate much higher than the trend sustained and constant about 4% that had been registered since 2010.

What has been the growth of tourism in Spain?

In Spain, in just 10 years, the number of foreign tourists has gone from 57 million to 75 million.

Tourism represents a direct contribution to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of 10.9% (2018).

Barcelona: one of the favorite destinations worldwide

Barcelona became known globally due to the Olympics celebration in 1992.

Its natural, cultural and gastronomic attractions and its wide range of accommodation and restaurant services have made Barcelona one of the favourite destinations in the world.

In fact, according to the report “Top 100 City Destinations 2018” of Euromonitor International, the global research company based in the United Kingdom, Barcelona occupies the position 8 of the preferred cities in Europe.

How do tourists rate their experience in Barcelona?

According to the Observatory of Tourism of Barcelona (OTB), the city online reputation, based on more than 4 million opinions of those who have visited Barcelona, stands at 8.42. Which can be translated into a level of satisfaction above the average.

Thus, it is positioned as the fourth European city that receives more positive opinions, after Madrid, Prague and Vienna.

What are the attractions that tourists value the most?

Among the best scores and recommendations of travellers include:

1. Sagrada Familia , with 150,000 opinions and a 9.37 2. Parque Güell in second position, with 8.62 and close to 100,000 opinions 3. Casa Batlló with a 9.26 4. Palau de la Música that scores a 9.41 5. Museum of the History of the City with an 8.98 6. CosmoCaixa with a 9.22 7. MNAC (National Museum of Catalonia) with a 9.13

Also urban areas such as the Gothic Quarter, El Born, Ciutat Vella (old town, in catalan) and the Montjuïc mountain receive a rating close to 9 with more than 100,000 user opinions.

What do Barcelonians think about tourism?

83.1% of the Barcelona people consider that tourism is very beneficial for the city and considers it as the economic sector that contributes the most wealth to the city.

The more than 5,000 people surveyed specified that tourism provides economic wealth, employment opportunities, a better cultural offer, restaurants and shops, creates a favourable environment to the city and improves infrastructures and transport.

It is also important to note that 80% consider that the behaviour of tourists is very good or good.

Thank you very much for choosing Barcelona!

With this post we want to express our gratitude to the tourists who visit us.

We would like to encourage you to choose our Continental and Continental Palacete hotels for your stay in Barcelona!

Our family tradition in the city of Barcelona since 1826 and our vocation of service to our customers and our team, without which having endured in time would not be possible, make us feel proud to have come this far.

To discover more about our history click here.

See you soon!

Continental Barcelona

Continental palacete.

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Barcelona Metropolis

N 131 - Jul 24 | The metamorphosis of work

Tourism, between wealth and residents’ complaints.

Marga Pont is a journalist and editorial coordinator of the magazine Barcelona Metropolis.

© Astrid Ortiz

Barcelona receives more than 12 million visitors per year for both business and pleasure, who stay in the city for an average of 2.5 nights. The tourism sector is one of the main drivers of economic activity in Barcelona, with 150,000 direct and indirect jobs. It generates 8.6% of the city’s employment and is the fourth-greatest wealth-creation activity, accounting for 7.3% of the GDP. Barcelona is the location of one out of every three tourism companies in Catalonia and almost four out of every six jobs and it collects more than half the revenue from the tourist tax in all of Catalonia.

Tourists truly enjoy the city and half of them return. Most local residents relate tourism with wealth, but complaints about the problems involved are also growing: 59.9% of Barcelona’s local residents think that this city has reached the limit of its capacity and the districts with the most visitors, Ciutat Vella and Gràcia, want less of them.

A foreign man about 37 years old flies into El Prat Airport to spend about five days in the city after organising a holiday trip by its own. This is the majority profile of the tourist in Barcelona, according to data from the study Perfil i hàbits dels turistes a la ciutat de Barcelona 2017 [Tourist Profile and Habits in the City of Barcelona 2017], issued by the Barcelona Tourism Observatory. According to the same survey, 86% of the hotel tourists came from outside Spain and more than half (52.11%) came from a country in Europe, while 34% came from elsewhere in the world.

Barcelona is one of the most important tourism and business travel destinations in the world. In 2018, the city had over 12 million tourists and 30 million overnight stays in in hotels, hostels, tourist apartments and housing used for tourism (HUT). Two out of every three tourists stay in hotels. In the last 30 years, the demand for hotel accommodation has increased fivefold and has gone from 1.7 million tourists in 1990 to 9.1 million in 2018, and from 3.8 million overnight stays to 19.3. This demand has not stopped growing every year, except for two dips. The first came in 2008, with the beginning of the financial crisis, and the second in 2017, when Barcelona suffered the attack on the Rambla in August and witnessed the events of 1st October. Remarkably, hotels and housing used for tourism amount to 85.5% of the accommodation available. While the former receive 19.3 million overnight stays, the latter get more than 8.5 million, though with many less tourists, since stays in HUT are longer (up to 3.75 nights on average compared to 2.1 nights at hotels).

According to the Housing Census of 2018, Barcelona has 152,046 vacancies in a total of 10,486 places of accommodation. Over 38% (38.5%) of the vacancies are in housing used for tourism and 47% are located in hotels and hotel-apartments. The Eixample district has 37% of all tourist accommodation vacancies (56,326), and together with Ciutat Vella (27,436) has over half (55.1%) the available vacancies in the city. Sant Martí and Sants-Montjuïc also have a significant amount of vacancies and together account for one fourth of those in the city, while Nou Barris and Sant Andreu have little in the way of vacancies available.

PROFILE OF THE TOURIST VISITING BARCELONA, HOW THEY GET HERE, WHERE THEY COME FROM AND WHERE THEY STAY

AVERAGE SPENDING OF VISITOR TO BARCELONA (2018) Source: Profile and Habits of Tourists to the City of Barcelona 2017 . Barcelona City Council.

THE THREE MOST VISITED LANDMARKS IN BARCELONA (2017) Source: Barcelona Institute of Culture.

DEMAND FOR ACCOMMODATION (2018)

ACCOMMODATION SUPPLY (2018)

EVOLUTION OF THE DEMAND FOR HOTEL BEDS

TRAVELLERS ARRIVING IN BARCELONA (2018)

NUMBER OF TRAVELLERS ARRIVING IN BARCELONA (2018) in Millions  (Change compared to 2017)  

ORIGIN OF PASSENGERS ARRIVING IN EL PRAT AIRPORT (2018) in Million

First in international cruises and conferences

Barcelona is near the top of many international rankings. In 2017, it was the sixth most visited city in Europe and the 23rd most visited among 100 cities in the world, according to the Top Cities Destination Ranking by Euromonitor International. The European Cities Marketing Benchmarking Report 2016/2017 ranked Barcelona fifth in Europe in terms of international overnight stays, while Trip Advisor rated it the sixth most attractive destination in the world for tourists in 2017. Also in 2017, Barcelona’s 2.7 million cruise ship passengers enabled it to hold on to its spot as the top cruise ship port based in Europe and the Mediterranean and the fourth greatest in the world. With 47.3 million travellers, Barcelona’s airport, El Prat Josep Tarradellas, had the seventh most travellers and grew the second most (7.1%) in Europe, according to the Airport Traffic Report of 2017.

Barcelona is also a leader in business meetings and broke records in 2018. According to the Barcelona Convention Bureau, the economic impact of Barcelona’s conferences and conventions rose from 1.851 billion euros in 2017 to over 1.901 billion in 2018. The city hosted 1,728 meetings (including conferences, seminars and conventions) that involved 2,393,252 overnight stays, or 7.4% more than the year before and up to 15% for conferences. For the first time, the representatives’ average stay was almost five days.

According to the ranking of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Barcelona is the only city that is not a country capital and has still ranked among the top five in the number of international conferences in the last 19 years. Even though it dropped from the first to the fourth position in terms of the number of international conferences hosted (163), this year it was the top city in the world regarding the number of representatives attending those conferences (135,000).

INDICATORS OF CONGRESS ACTIVITY (2018)

A lot of work at low pay

The tourism sector generates 8.6% of the employment in the city of Barcelona and is the activity responsible for the fourth most wealth creation, accounting for 7.3% of the city’s GDP. By the end of 2018, there were 96,257 people affiliated with social security, after creating 20,000 jobs in just six years. Salaried jobs make up 87.5% of this total, followed by 12.7% self-employed jobs. If we consider a broader definition of the sector, including the transport of passengers, the organisation of conferences, artistic activities or some sporting activities with a significant impact on tourism, the number of jobs approaches 150,000. There have been 30.9% more jobs in the last 10 years, a period in which the city has grown 7.9% in job creation. At the end of 2018, the tourism sector included 8,754 companies with salaried workers, accounting for 11.5% of those in the city. Barcelona is the location of 36.7% of the tourism jobs in Catalonia, which is 3% more than the city’s total share of employment in Catalonia (33.3%). Barcelona is also the location of 29.3% of the companies with Catalan wage earners dedicated to tourism.

In 2018, the hotel industry was the second largest economic sector in Barcelona with the highest employment contract volume in the city, with a total of 216,453 contracts, accounting for 16.7% of the total. Of these employment contracts, 16.1% were indefinite and 83.9% were temporary. Broken down by subsector of activity, the highest volume of employment contracts was for food and beverage services (60.1%), followed by accommodation services (32.6%) and travel agencies and tour operators (7.2%). The average annual salary in the hospitality industry stood at 16,708 euros in 2017, which is just over half the average salary in the city (30,263 euros), making it the sector with the lowest wage level and one of those that have experienced the biggest loss of purchasing power since 2010. However, the hospitality industry is one of the sectors with the narrowest gender pay gap, with a difference between men and women (12.3%) almost 10% lower than the average in Barcelona (21.8%).

In 2018, there were 8,946 unemployed people from the tourist sector in Barcelona, which reported a 7% drop, while the city fell by 6%. Despite creating net employment, in recent years the sector has revealed a less favourable trend in reported unemployment than Barcelona as a whole. Since 2012, unemployment in the hospitality industry has cumulatively decreased by 20% and has fallen by 38.2% in the city in the same period. This is partly due to the strong seasonal orientation of the sector and the influx into the tourism sector of unemployed people from other industries looking for better employment prospects.

IMPORTANCE OF THE TOURISM SECTOR TO BARCELONA’S ECONOMY (2018)

VOLUME OF CONTRACTS RELATED TO TOURIST ACTIVITIES PER SUBSECTOR (2018)

STRUCTURE OF THE TOURISM SECTOR PER SUBSECTOR (2018)

Tourism and the city: benefits and criticism

Tourist activity produces diverse impacts and assessments for the different actors involved, both among those actively participating in it (the tourists) and those receiving it, meaning the residents of Barcelona. Tourists give it a score of 8.8 points to the city and almost half (46.8%) repeat the experience, according to the study Perfil i hàbits dels turistes a la ciutat de Barcelona 2017 [Tourist Profile and Habits in the City of Barcelona 2017]. The five best aspects of the city are its architecture (9.26), its culture (8.91), its entertainment (8.61), its public transport (8.51) and the character and kindness of its people (8.47).

The Online Reputation Index (iRON), issued by the Tourism Laboratory of Barcelona Provincial Council, awarded its best grade (8.91) in 2017 to the city’s attractions, while accommodation (8.24) and food and drink (8.13) scored lower, but always above 8. Regarding the most popular places, Sagrada Família is the most frequently visited monument in the city, taking in 4.52 million tourists, followed by Park Güell, with 3.12 million, and the Barça Museum, with 1.84 million visitors.

In the local people’s perceptions, the relationship between tourism and wealth is rooted in the idea of Barcelona. According to the Barcelona Tourism Observatory’s study Percepció del turisme a Barcelona 2017 [Perception of Tourism in Barcelona 2017], 57.5% of the people surveyed in 2009 already spontaneously associated both elements, reaching 70.3% in 2017. Over four out of five (83.1%) local residents believe that tourism is beneficial, and three out of every four Barcelonans cites tourism as the sector of the economy that provides the most wealth. Nevertheless, there is an observable trend to be increasingly critical of tourism and the benefits that it represents. The high opinion of tourism has fallen since 2012, when it attained the highest score, with 96.1% of the people feeling that it was beneficial for the city. While the 35.2% of the population now thinks that Barcelona must continue to attract tourists, the 59.9% believe that it has reached the limit of its capacity (and this figure rises to 68.6% among residents of tourist districts). Only people of foreign nationality and residents of Nou Barris have an opinion split almost equally between both options. The rest of the population and the region thinks that Barcelona has reached the limit of its capacity with respect to the services that it can offer to tourists. Only 17.1% of Barcelonans would like to see more tourists in their neighbourhood and 65.8% think that there are enough already.

The effect of tourism on prices is one of the reasons why respondents believe that tourism harms Barcelona. Eight out of 10 respondents think that visitors drive up prices in Barcelona, especially in the restoration and rental of homes. The Barri Gòtic and Sant Pere, Santa Caterina, the Ribera and Vila de Gràcia are the districts that most clearly see this rise in prices due to tourism (around 80%), while in Nou Barris the percentage has fallen by 15%.

Compared to 2016, the perception of tourist behaviour has worsened. Half of the people surveyed say that tourist behaviour is good or very good, whereas 14.5% say that it is bad or very bad. This negative view reaches 38.6% in the Barceloneta district. Complaints about bad behaviour have to do with antisocial or rude behaviour (66.1%, which is 10% more than in 2016) and with drunkenness (16.7%, which is 12% less than in 2016).

LEVEL OF COMFORT WITH THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS IN BARCELONA (2017)

PERCEPTION OF TOURIST ACCOMMODATION IN ONE’S OWN NEIGHBOURHOOD (2017) (% of people who believe the amount of accommodation in their neighbourhood is excessive: hotels, hostels, tourist-licensed properties, etc.)

The challenges of tourism management

The assessment of municipal management of tourism in the city has worsened every year since 2013. While in 2013 almost three out of every four people rated it positively (74.7%), in 2017 this number fell to 40.8%. The least happy residents by district are those living in Barceloneta. Their main complaints focus on the mismanagement of tourist apartments (20.5%) and poor management in general (18.3%).

In 2018, the city raised more than half its revenue from the tax on stays in tourist establishments throughout Catalonia. In the 2017-2018 period the figure reached 56.5 million euros, of which 30.65 million were collected by establishments of the Barcelona brand. Hotels are the main contributor to income tax (19.8 million euros), followed by housing used for tourism (HUT) (8.2 million euros). Hotel revenue has fallen by one million euros and the amount from tourist homes has increased by two million, which is mainly due to the increase in the rate from 0.65 to 2.25 euros per person per night in these establishments in 2017. Barcelona’s cruise ships provide 1.2 million euros, and youth hostels 900,000 euros.

The tourist tax is a tool for promoting sustainable quality tourism and for protecting, preserving, recovering and improving tourist resources. For two years, Barcelona City Council has managed half this tax while the city received 34% until 2016. Between 2015 and 2019, more than 22 million euros levied from the tax on tourist establishments (IEET) have been allocated to projects for improving spaces and services for all residents for the purpose of offsetting the negative effects of tourism in the city.

In 2018, 9.6 millions euros were earmarked for the fight against illegal accommodation, district-improvement projects, cultural offering enhancement and other activities. This line of action has been bolstered by the expansion in 2017 and 2018 of regular bus lines coming from and going to the city’s beaches (D20, V15 and 59), the Pla de Convivència in Ciutat Vella, the Pla de Places de Gràcia and the civic agent service for regulating high traffic spaces such as the Sagrada Família and Ciutat Vella or the spider web, which serves to track data to the network and is one of the pillars to detect establishments that do not have a license.

Since 2016, the number of ads for unlicensed tourist use has fallen from 5,875 to 272, and 4,900 apartments have been ordered closed. The year 2018 ended with 95% less illegal tourist apartments in Barcelona. Since the launch of the shock plan in 2015, according to data from March 2019, municipal teams have evaluated 17,000 homes advertised on 140 different websites.

With these and other measures, the Strategic Tourism Plan 2020 (approved in 2015) is being launched to address such a complex phenomenon, with its multiple challenges. The plan aims to respond to it to ensure sustainability and reconcile the interests of the different actors involved: local residents, tourists and professionals from the sector.

TOURIST TAX COLLECTION (2018)

TOURIST TAX COLLECTION (2018) Source: Generalitat de Catalunya.

MAIN SOURCES LEVYING TOURIST TAX (2018) Source: Generalitat de Catalunya.

Related subjects Economy and business Territory Tourism Work Astrid Ortiz Infografist Marga Pont Algueró Journalist Marga Pont is a journalist and editorial coordinator of the magazine Barcelona Metropolis. From the issue

N 112 - Jul 19 Index

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Geographical

Official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

How can Barcelona tackle its tourism dilemma?

28 August 2024 4 minutes

Barcelona resident Eugene Yiga considers the impact of tourism upon the city and its residents, and how to ensure a better, more harmonious future

By Eugene Yiga

This summer, the streets of Barcelona echoed with chants of ‘Tourists go home!’ as nearly 3,000 protesters marched against mass tourism. The sight of demonstrators spraying water at bewildered families and shouting at restaurant patrons was as shocking as it was misguided. While the frustrations driving these protests are valid, the tactics and targets are woefully misplaced. Yes, Barcelona’s tourism problem is real, but the solution lies not in alienating visitors but in addressing the systemic issues that have allowed tourism to grow unchecked.

I recently moved to the city and can understand the concerns of locals. Barcelona’s charm and livability are under threat. Housing costs have skyrocketed, with rents increasing by 68 per cent in the past decade. Iconic neighbourhoods have become unrecognisable, overrun by souvenir shops and rowdy bars. The incessant noise of rolling suitcases and drunken revellers has become the soundtrack of once-peaceful streets.

However, blaming individual tourists for these issues is not only unfair but counterproductive. They’re simply people drawn to one of the world’s most beautiful cities, often unaware of the complex issues their presence exacerbates. The real culprits are the policies and economic forces prioritising short-term profits over long-term sustainability. 

Local governments have failed to adequately regulate the explosion of short-term rentals, allowing entire apartment blocks to be converted into de facto hotels. Property speculators and multinational corporations have capitalised on lax regulations, driving up housing costs for residents. These are the forces that deserve scrutiny and protest, not the average tourist enjoying a paella on La Rambla.

Moreover, we can’t ignore the economic reality that tourism brings. The sector accounts for 14 per cent of the city’s GDP. Many of the same locals protesting tourism likely have friends or family members employed in hotels, restaurants, or other tourism-adjacent industries. A sudden drop in tourism would devastate the local economy, potentially causing more harm than good to the residents seeking relief.

That said, the concerns driving these protests are entirely valid. The housing crisis is real. Long-term residents are being pushed out of their neighbourhoods, unable to compete with the inflated rents. The city’s unique culture and character are at risk of being diluted by a constant influx of transient visitors. These are serious issues that demand action.

However, the hypocrisy of some anti-tourist sentiment can’t be ignored. Many Spaniards, including Catalans, are enthusiastic tourists themselves when visiting other countries. The same issues plaguing Barcelona – overcrowding, rising costs, cultural clashes – are experienced in cities from Amsterdam to Venice to Kyoto. It’s a global phenomenon that requires nuanced, thoughtful solutions, not xenophobic outbursts.

So, what can be done? First and foremost, Barcelona needs stricter regulations on short-term rentals. Cities such as New York have implemented policies that effectively ban most Airbnb-style rentals. Barcelona now plans to follow suit (albeit by 2028), ensuring that apartments are homes first, not investment properties.

Second, the city needs to diversify its economy. While tourism will always be a key sector, over-reliance on it leaves Barcelona vulnerable to economic shocks (as we saw during the Covid-19 pandemic) and exacerbates many of the issues residents are protesting. Investing in other industries, particularly in the tech and creative sectors, could provide well-paying jobs that allow locals to compete in the housing market.

Urban planning must also play a role. Barcelona could implement strategies to better manage tourist flow, perhaps by creating designated tourist zones while preserving other areas for local life. This could help maintain the city’s character while still accommodating visitors. Furthermore, Barcelona should lead the way in sustainable tourism initiatives. This could include higher tourist taxes to fund local infrastructure and services, stricter regulations on cruise ships to reduce pollution, and education programmes for visitors about responsible tourism.

Local government bears significant responsibility for the current situation. For too long, officials have prioritised short-term economic gains over long-term sustainability. It’s time for bold action that balances the economic benefits of tourism with the needs and rights of residents.

Ultimately, while the anger driving Barcelona’s anti-tourist protests is understandable, the tactics are misguided and potentially harmful. Moreover, the solution to overtourism isn’t to demonize visitors but to implement smart, sustainable policies that manage tourism’s impact while preserving livability for residents. 

Barcelona has always been a city of innovation and creativity. It’s time to apply that spirit to solving the tourism dilemma. The future of this magnificent city depends on finding a balance between welcoming the world and preserving the very essence that makes it so irresistible. 

Related articles:

• Tourism visitor numbers in Antarctica have risen to over 100,000 a year
• Gone wild: is wildlife tourism out of control?
• Copenhagen to reward environmentally friendly tourists
• A rise in space tourism poses serious risks to Earth
• Can the tourism industry recover from the Covid-19 pandemic?

Published in the UK since 1935, Geographical is the official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) . Informative, authoritative and educational, this site’s content covers a wide range of subject areas, including geography, culture, wildlife and exploration, illustrated with superb photography.

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Sustainability

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The tourists' general evaluation of the destination barcelona municipalities reaches high scores once again in 2020.

The OTB publishes the third capsule of the 2020 Barcelona Tourism Activity Report, which includes information on the tourists’ evaluation, citizens’ opinion, the job market, and the sustainability in Destination Barcelona.

• The most valued aspects of Destination Barcelona municipalities have been the accommodation (8.42), the character and kindness of the local people (8.40), and the public transport (8.11).
• The international tourists (8.72) and those who travel for leisure reasons (8.66) are those who value the best the Destination municipalities in general.
• 87.8% of residents of Barcelona region believe that tourism is rather beneficial for their county .
• The number of tourism companies has fallen by -10.8% in 2020 and it has represented 14.2% of the total business network of Destination Barcelona.
• In 2020, the number of tourism companies that have been distinguished in the Commitment for Biosphere Tourism Sustainability has increased to 663 (+45.4%).

The OTB has released the third capsule of the 2020 Barcelona Tourism Activity Report with information on the tourists’ evaluation , the citizens’ opinion , the job market , and the sustainability in Destination Barcelona. The report provides data about the three geographical levels that the OTB covers: Barcelona city, Barcelona region, and Destination Barcelona.

Tourists’ evaluation

The tourists' general evaluation of the Destination Barcelona municipalities has reached a score of 8.51 out of 10 in 2020. In Barcelona city, which has the highest score, the overall rating has been 8.71. However, in these two geographical areas, there is a slight decrease in the tourists’ assessment compared to the previous year, while in Barcelona region (8.32), it has improved.

Almost half of the aspects that are valued in the Destination have been rated over 8 . The most valued aspects are the accommodation (8.42), the character and kindness of the local people (8.40), and the public transport (8.11). On the other hand, the aspects with lower scores keep being the noise (7.34) and the accessibility (7.69).

As for Barcelona city , the best-considered attributes are maintained as the architecture (9.23) and the culture (8.84). The least valued aspects in area are the noise (6.82) and the general cleanliness (7.50).

In Barcelona region , noteworthy is the increase in the evaluation of the accommodation (8.48) and the natural environment (8.34), which stand on the second and third positions of the ranking, while the character and kindness of people (8.52) remain in the first position.

In general, the international tourists are those who give the best scores in all the aspects, while if analyzed by travel purpose , tourists traveling for leisure reasons have consistently given higher ratings than those who travel for personal or professional reasons.

Citizens’ opinion

In Barcelona region most of the inhabitants think that tourism is rather beneficial for their region (87.8%) and that promoting the tourism activity should be continued (83.8%), although 1 in 3 thinks that their county is reaching the limit of its capacity to absorb tourism .

The economic contribution generated by the tourist activity is the positive attribute that has been the most appreciated by residents (68.9%), while overtourism (23.5%), the most negative one.

Due to the effects of Covid-19 , a reduction in both the number of companies (-10.8%) and the number of workers (-10.5%) of the tourist activity in Destination Barcelona has been experienced in 2020. In the latter case, it should be borne in mind that this reduction does not take into account workers that have been included in temporary lay-off plans (ERTOs), so the fall could have been even more pronounced.

In Barcelona city , the loss of companies and employees in tourism has been more important than in Barcelona region. Also in Barcelona city, the proportion of tourism is higher than in Barcelona region (14.7% of the companies and 12.5% of the employees).

As for the hiring , in the first two months of the year, its volume was similar to 2019, but from the beginning of the state of alarm in March and especially in Barcelona city, it fell at much lower levels . On the other hand, registered unemployment was inversely proportional to the hiring, although with less remarkable differences compared to the previous year, thanks to the effect of the lay-off plans (ERTOs).

This year, several indicators related to tourism sustainability in Destination Barcelona have been calculated for the three usual geographical levels. These indicators respond to 3 axes of sustainability (environmental, socio-cultural, and economic) and address various issues such as pollution, mobility, tourist pressure, citizens’ satisfaction, public safety, seasonality, the economic impact of tourism or employment. Due to the cross-cutting nature of the issues that impact the sustainability of the tourism activity, some of these indicators already appear in other chapters of this report, the results of which have to be interpreted in the unique context of 2020.

As for the certifications and distinctions in tourism sustainability , it must be noted that the number of companies with the Biosphere Certificate went from 19 to 23 during 2020 (+ 21.1%).

On the other hand, 663 companies and services reached the " Biosphere Tourism Sustainability Commitment " distinction (+45.4%). By typology, accommodation companies were 1 in 3 and, by region, Barcelonès (34.5%), Maresme (11.5%), and Garraf (9.2%) were the most represented.

More information: Barcelona tourism activity report 2020

Related news.

3 out of 5 tourists visit the destination municipality for leisure

The OTB presents the monthly report on the Profile and Habits of Tourists in Destination Barcelona

New permanent hiring in tourism continued to outnumber the temporary ones

The latest tourism activity data in Destination Barcelona have been updated - July 2024 edition

Manifesta 15, the European Nomadic Biennial, kicks off on September in Destination Barcelona

The Observatory of Tourism in Barcelona publishes the monthly update of the tourism forecast report

Environmental Impacts Of Tourism In Barcelona: Can Circular Economy Make The City Sustainable?

The number of tourists visiting the city of Barcelona went from 3.7 million in 1990 to 31 million in 2016. 

As beneficial as it might seem for Barcelona’s economy, the tourism sector has begun to do more damage than good, destroying their environment and robbing the quality of life of its residents.

The fourth most visited European city, with a population of  1.6 million  within city limits, Barcelona is a major cultural, economic and financial centre in the Mediterranean region. It witnessed an increase in  overnight visitors from 1.7 million  in 1990 to 8 million in 2016.

The city of Barcelona has very little green cover, owing to the population(Pinterest, Aween Ramli)

Barcelona city’s development in these sectors has a dark side, based on the concrete interests of political and economic elites, which has resulted in the commodification of life in the city.

THE CITY OF TOURISTS, OR CITY FOR TOURISTS?

The promotion of Barcelona as a brand, making it the largest tourist affluence in the world,  has been continuing since the 1992 Summer Olympics by the public-private consortium Turisme Barcelona. The tourism that was initially perceived as a creator of jobs, is  now resented by the local residents  due to widening social inequalities and conflicts the industry entails.

Locals perceive tourists as a nuisance, the reason for their poor quality of life. (Bloomberg)

Poor Quality of Life for Residents

• The increasing tourism related private infrastructure has resulted in the expulsion of city residents from their homes due to the increasing prices of real estate, so they can be converted into tourist accommodations. 
• The high levels of privatization has also resulted in dwindling numbers of communitarian areas.
•  Not just this, it has resulted in the deterioration of quality of life for the locals, with poor living conditions and health. 

A Tourist-Dependent Economy

Barcelona’s entire economy has moulded itself to service the large number of tourists visiting the city every year. 

Barcelona’s beaches are crowded with tourists, who are mainly responsible for the plastic pollution(RNZ)

• Departmental stores and daily needs commercial activities have been substituted by restaurant terraces and nightclubs for tourists, inaccessible and useless to the local residents. 
• In addition, the large amount of specialization of the labour industry maintains the lowest wages in the tourism sector. 
• The economy largely depends on the tourism industry, with less opportunities for other productive industries.
•  The privatization of the transport industry to produce elitist “quality tourism’, instead of sustainable tourism has resulted in the collapse of public transport and accessibility.

 Dangerous Levels of Pollution

• High levels of noise and air pollution  are caused by air planes, cruise ships, and private traffic. The large number of nightclubs and commercial areas contributes to increasing the noise pollution in a city with a high population density and narrow, congested streets.

The high population density combined with narrow streets elevates the noise pollution (beBee)

• The metropolitan area of Barcelona is the second-biggest culprit when it comes to emptying plastic waste into the Mediterranean, according to a 2019 report from the World Wildlife Fund. Between Barcelona and Vilanova i la Geltrú, trash accounts for 38% of a fisherman’s catch. 

A VICTIM OF AIR POLLUTION

 Air pollution in Barcelona is responsible for poor human health, acidification of water and soils, damage to ecosystems, buildings and crops.It is responsible for nearly half of all  childhood asthma cases  in Barcelona.

Hand in Hand with Tourism : The Aviation Sector

International aviation has a large role to play in the development of the tourist industry in Barcelona. The non-existent taxation on aviation, cheap tickets, an increase in connections, and public investment in airports have contributed to the development. 

A tourist who arrives in Barcelona by air plane  consumes 605.7 kg of CO2  on average, while a tourist who arrives by train only consumes 52.9 kg of CO2

Barcelona’s airport during peak season, affected by a strike (The Mirror)

• 82% of tourists arrive in Barcelona via airplane. But this system of mobility has strong negative implications on the environment.
• It is estimated that the transport by air plane represents 75% of the carbon emission from tourism in Barcelona.

Cruise Ships: The Bane of Barcelona’s Port

In 2018, more than 3 million tourists visited Barcelona on cruise ship tours, making the city Europe’s biggest cruise destination ahead of other top ports including Palma de Mallorca, Venice or Southampton.

Cruise ship visitors have been as high as 18,000 passengers a day who spend only a few hours in the city (Cruise Mapper)

On a single day , seven ships with 18,000 passengers and 6,000 crew were docked in the port. Most passengers visit the city for around five hours, spending an average of €57 each, and return to their ships at night.

In June 2019, Barcelona was named the number one most polluted ports in Europe. Cruise ships produced 32.8 tonnes of sulphur oxide (SOx), five times more than all of Barcelona’s cars.  

Locals stage a protest against cruise ships and cruise tourists, who the tourism industry mainly caters to. (EL PAIS)

• The fuel oil used by cruise ships contains 2000 times more sulphur oxide than in ordinary diesel.
• Cruises accounted for   28.5%  of Barcelona’s carcinogenic nitrogen oxide and  3.5%  of the city’s particle pollution.
• As per Ecologists in Action’s report, toxic particles were detected as far as 400 km from the port, the impact worsened by ships leaving their engines running while docked.

Overall, Spain is also the most cruise-polluted European country, with 14,496 metric tons of sulfur oxide released in 2017.

No Road for Residents? 

A growing number of private vehicles to support the ever growing tourism industry, promoting “quality tourism”  is another major polluter for Barcelona. In addition, the building of ring roads has increased use of private vehicles. This has made mobility and public transport less available to the local population.

The community life of Barcelona’s residents is disrupted by the transport industry largely catering to tourists ( Barcelona Home)

 ROUND THE CLOCK NOISE POLLUTION 

Over half of Barcelona’s population is subjected to harmful  noise levels over 65 decibels  during the entire day (0800-2200 hours).

Noise pollution in the city is rarely below 65  decibels.

• The effect of noise is further aggravated by high population densities (30,000/km²). 
• Tourism is also a major contributor to the noise pollution, originating from nightclubs and an increasing fleet of private vehicles. The city is home to some 1,900,000 vehicles, 0.4 vehicles per inhabitant.

60 PERCENT INCREASE IN WASTE GENERATION

Barcelona residents produce as much as 500 kilograms of waste per capita per year, and most of this is owed to the booming waste generated by tourists (Publicspace)

• Barcelona residents produce about 500 kg waste per year per capita.
•  The  volume of waste per capita  has increased by more than 60% in recent years, many of which are single use.
• Till 1991, there were over  1000 uncontrolled  landfills in Catalonia. Now, only 30 regulated landfills remain.

PREVALENT HOMELESSNESS

Immigration, unemployment,, as well as poverty have led to a high prevalence of  homelessness.  A number of slums, shantytown housing, and degraded multi-family residences can be found across the city.

On any given night, approximately 1,500 people in Barcelona experience homelessness.

The wide social inequalities in Barcelona are responsible for a large population living in poverty (WordPress)

A large number of residents live on less than  1000 euros a month .

INITIATIVES BY THE CITY’S ADMINISTRATION

Solving the  Problem of Homelessness

Barcelona city administration  works towards social inclusion  by having professionals in the streets each day, identifying homeless people in the initial phases of their problems.

Limits on Cruise Ships

The  International Maritime Organization  limits the amount of sulphur in fuel oil to 3.5%. A new limit of 0.5% will come into force.Under the European Union’s clean air policy, the limit in the Mediterranean may be reduced to 0.1%.

Superblocks have improved local exchange and quality of life for the locals (PublicWorks)

Quality of Life

A new mobility plan was introduced by the city government of Barcelona,  based on creating superblocks  in the urban spatial plan.

• Barcelona  is planning 500 superblocks to solve part of its environmental problems , of which nine have been completed.
•  Superblocks have been formed around nine existing blocks around which traffic flows. The internal roads open up to the community, facilitating greater local exchange, foot, bike and public transport, and greening. 
•  Since 2000, the landfilled portion shrank from  70% to 30% in 2008 . Source separation increased from 12% to 32% in the same period.

INITIATIVES BY NGOS

Amigos de la Tierra  works to promote and defend social and environmental justice. 

It pressures corporations and  government agencies to employ sustainable business practices and enforce environmental regulations. It conducts political pressure campaigns and environmental education programs to create a sustainable society.

Friends of the Earth is an umbrella organization supporting more than 300 NGOs. (Amigos de la Tierra)

Ecologistas en Acción  is a non-governmental umbrella organisation of more than 300 environmental NGOs. It works to build public awareness, relying on outreach to traditional news media, a strong presence on social networks, production and dissemination of video content via their video channel and El Ecologista magazine.

CSR INTERVENTIONS

Two spanish companies, Iberdrola and Acciona have been elected in the Global 100 of

 Corporate Knights sustainability index 2020.

Acciona   is a sustainable conglomerate organization, facilitating infrastructure, water and energy needs through innovative and responsible solutions in business. 

They are on track with meeting their  2020 sustainability goals .

• Reduced waste generation by 61% compared to 2015
• 75% of non hazardous waste is recovered
•  Water consumption reduced by 61% compared to 2017
• GHGs reduced from base year 2017 by 22% 

Iberdrola is committed to become carbon neutral by the year 2050. (Financial times)

Iberdrola    is a Spanish multinational electric utility company serving around 31.67 million customers. Iberdrola group has committed to reduce absolute Greenhouse Gases emissions by 2030 from a 2017 base-year and to be carbon neutral by 2050 at a global level.

THE BENEFITS OF A CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Globally, the economy would benefit $2 trillion a year from  circularity .

Sharp increase in commodity prices in the 2000’s due to exploitation of resources (WE Forum, 2017)

1. Economic Benefits

• Substantial Resource Savings
• Innovation Stimulus
• Economic Growth
• Growth of Employment

2. Environmental Benefits

• Less greenhouse gases
• Vital air, soil and water bodies
• Conservation of nature reserves

HOW WILL A CIRCULAR ECONOMY BENEFIT BARCELONA?

A suggested circular economy model for Barcelona ( Circular Economy EU, FAB City)

Diverting Jobs from the Poorly Paying Tourism Sector

Public policies on the circular economy by the City Council have on average generated over  9400 direct and indirect jobs  a year in Barcelona, specially in urban greenery (69%) and mobility (12%).

Space Utility in the Densely Populated City

Being a small and densely populated city, Barcelona has the need to utilize available space sustainably. 

• Superblocks aim to reduce  traffic by 21%, free up 60% of the streets , and improve air quality. 
• In addition, Barcelona and more than 100 municipalities fined banks with properties on their books that have been empty for more than two years.

Bike sharing has become popular in the city, allowing residents and tourists alike to explore the city without  (Ajuntament de Barcelona)

The above measures work on  improving the quality of life  for the local residents of Barcelona, and help in increasing per capita income.

• produced employment in more productive sectors other than tourism, providing job security.
• better working conditions
• reduce congestion, traffic and noise pollution
• reduce squatting, make new jobs and improve quality of lives
• Generate local development benefitting residents. What is not local is not sustainable.

If WHO  guidelines are met,  932 to 3000  cases of asthma could be prevented in Barcelona each year.

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

Earth5R’s ACT project involves citizens in meeting needs and addressing sustainability issues that affect their local ecosystem. If the solution is not local, it is not sustainable.

Earth5R’s Mangrove Cleanup Drive

The Earth5R team conducted a mangrove clean up drive at Bandra Carter Road in January 2019. It took off successfully thanks to the youth of Bandra including local citizens and members of Rizvi NSS.

Earth5R team volunteers cleaning the Mangroves at Bandra Carter Road, Mumbai (Earth5R.org)

The volunteers recovered large amounts of waste which was then segregated, analysed and sent further for recycling. 

ABOUT EARTH5R

Earth5R  is an environmental organization from India with its head office at Mumbai. It works with the NGO sector, Companies and helps them conduct environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs across India. Earth5R specializes in circular economy based projects. Earth5R also offers short term and long term environmental courses.

Earth5R’s Global Sustainability Hub is a cross-sector and cross-country collaboration in pursuit of UN Sustainable Development Goals. It is an excellent opportunity for governments and the private sector to engage with communities, use Sustainability-based models to drive economic changes and create social and environmental impact.

Reported by Ankita Nambiar, edited by Aastha Dewan

The Culture of Sustainability

Earth5R Podcasts In the third edition of Earth5R’s Sustainable Futures podcast series titled ‘The Culture Of Sustainability’ Benno Werlen, a UNESCO Chair on Global Understanding for Sustainability engages in conversation

Greenwashing, Governance and Growth

Earth5R Podcasts In Earth5R’s second edition of its Sustainable Futures podcast series titled “Greenwashing, governance and Growth,” Founder and Environmentalist Saurabh Gupta is in conversation with John Pabon,  Sustainability consultant,

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Please note you do not have access to teaching notes, from success to unrest: the social impacts of tourism in barcelona.

International Journal of Tourism Cities

ISSN : 2056-5607

Article publication date: 11 January 2022

Issue publication date: 10 August 2022

This study aims to examine the main factors and the related impacts that have caused a negative shift in the social perception of tourism among residents of Barcelona. Namely, it contextualises the recent evolution of the impacts and the social perception of tourism among the city’s residents; analyses the relationship between the social perception of tourism and different tourist, real estate, demographic and economic factors; and lastly, it identifies the social impacts that majorly influence the negative perception among residents in every neighbourhood.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies quantitative and qualitative techniques to a selection of five neighbourhoods of Barcelona. First, the character of the neighbourhoods was analysed, and external statistical information was later provided to understand the state and evolution of the factors that shape perceptions of tourism. Secondly, representatives of the community movements were interviewed in-depth. This consecutive qualitative approach enabled the comprehension of how these factors shape the residents’ perception.

The results showed that residents generally shared similar perceptions despite variations among neighbourhoods. Perceived negative effects included not only the most direct consequences of tourism such as anti-social behaviour and congestion of public spaces but also indirect ones such as population displacement and the weakening of social structures.

Originality/value

This study’s innovation lies in linking objective statistical data that describe the reality of a tourist neighbourhood (housing prices, number of available beds, family income, etc.), to the subjective perceptions of its residents. Thus, it is possible to identify the perceived impacts of tourism (which have an impact on the local population’s satisfaction), and relate these to the true evolution of tourism variables in the neighbourhood. This contrasted reading between perception and reality is important for future initiatives for the regulation of tourism in the city.

• Sustainable tourism
• Social impacts
• Residents’ perception

Elorrieta, B. , Cerdan Schwitzguébel, A. and Torres-Delgado, A. (2022), "From success to unrest: the social impacts of tourism in Barcelona", International Journal of Tourism Cities , Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 675-702. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-05-2021-0076

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, International Tourism Studies Association.

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Communicate, join the movement, barcelona: a city exploited by tourism and air traffic.

Barcelona is the fourth most-visited European city, the first destination of Mediterranean cruise ships and the seventh largest European airport. While there were 3,7 million bookings in 1990, in 2016, Barcelona had more than 31 million bookings. Barcelona’s tourism industry leads to very serious impacts and conflicts for the local society and the environment – social movements raise critique.

The city of Barcelona has experienced major transformations over the last four decades. The questionable developmental and speculative process around the celebration of the 1992 Olympic Games produced the first series of touristic waves which continue producing themselves today. If anything has changed, it is the overall perception; the social criticism and struggle against processes 1  which have brought about the growth of mass-tourism in Barcelona and carried with them a spiral of inequalities and social conflicts. This is not a new or a Barcelona-specific phenomenon, it simply follows global logics and impacts many southern European 2  cities and their inhabitants in a similar way.

The Olympic Games might have awoken discussion, but it was mostly in 2004 that the celebration of the “Fòrum de les Cultures” provoked criticism and mobilized social movements against another mega-event related to developmental and speculative dynamics. The global criticism against the process of touristification has been visible for years and it is brought forward by the analysis, denouncement and local proposals of social movements. Each year has been characterized by the growth of different mobilizations against the different aspects of touristification.

Transport and Tourist Infrastructure in Catalonia

The promotion of the Barcelona brand is, broadly speaking, the result of international impulses which offered the Olympics, other global events and touristic icons. This promotion has been managed by the public-private consortium Turisme Barcelona and has made Barcelona a touristified city with the largest touristic affluence on the planet. This can be proven by Barcelona’s rampant evolution: it grew from 3,7 million bookings in 1990 to more than 31 million bookings in 2016 3 . As a matter of fact, more than 23 million visitors and tourists pass through Barcelona each year , with a mean of 154.000 daily visitors 4 . Being one of Europe’s most dense cities (15,881 inh/km2), with 1,6 million residents, the pressure of tourism is very present, especially in the central districts. Barcelona is the fourth most-visited European city, the first destination of Mediterranean cruise ships and the seventh largest European airport 5 with more than 55 million passengers per year 6 . In 2018, the number of intercontinental journeys by airplane has increased by 10,9% (9,4% on average since 2010) 7 . The number of cruise ship tourists has increased by 12,1% 8  and the number of tourists by 4,3% 9 . In this way, Barcelona is on a continuous tourism growth-path ever since the Olympic Games.

Barcelona’s tourism industry and its production model leads to very serious impacts and conflicts for the local society and the environment:

• The expulsion of residents for the transformation of their houses into tourist accommodations (hotels and both legal and illegal apartments);
• The increase of rental prices and purchase of real-estate for the purpose of market-competition as well as a focus on “touristic appeal” which basically translates into attractive real estate;
• The substitution of daily commerce with shops and services for tourists which are generally useless or inaccessible for the local population;
• The increasing collapse of mobility and accessibility as the result of private mass-events: music festivals, major conferences, sports competitions, etc;
• The specialization of the labour market in the tourist sector which is particularly precarious and feminized (e.g. las Kellys). The wages in the accommodation sector are one of the lowest in Barcelona;
• High levels of noise and air pollution, primarily caused by air planes and cruise ships;
• High generation of waste and abuse of natural resources;
• The loss of communitarian/public spaces as the result of the privatization for the purpose of touristic infrastructure and the concentration of leisure services (port zones, hotels, restaurant terraces and mono-functional zones for night life);
• The deterioration of the local population’s living conditions and health;
• Over-specialization in tourism, reducing the opportunities for other productive sectors as well as an increasing dependency on the tourism sector.

Changes of rent prices between 2014 and 2018 and the offer of AirBnB in Barcelona: Violet circles show the number of AirBnB sleeping places. The darker the surface, the more changed the rents (up to 420 € per month).

The touristic model which is responsible for these impacts is neither free nor natural; it has been created according to the concrete interests of political and economics elites. It is nested in a more global dynamic of the financialization of the economy, and hence, the commodification 10 of life. Financialization captures the growing dominance of finance in the economy and the lives of people. Some examples are real-estate speculations, the increase of rents and the dispossession of public spaces which respond to a dynamic of commodification and financialization which compromises the right to housing, the right to the city. Big investment funds and banks, with complicity of the State, concentrate the benefits of this system while they cause and externalize (or socialize) the losses and negative consequences they produce 11 .

In a capitalist context, despite being a booming economic engine, the tourism sector, apart from other things, is currently responding to the logic of productive and financial accumulation where life remains at the margins and not in the centre. This, by means of speculation on our conditions of life through the decrease of wages, precarization at work, intensification of labour journeys, the worsening of labour conditions; compromising the health of workers an the environment 12 .

In fact, the last years of coordination between collectives and entities, as well as the increasing hardships and evident touristification process, has caused a turmoil in the public opinion on the perception of tourism in Barcelona. Historically, the official perception held by those responsible for this process (the private sector and public institution) can be summarized as “ tourism is good for everyone because it produces wealth and jobs ”. But today, mass tourism is essentially seen as a problem of capital in the city and forms part of the population’s biggest social preoccupations.

Barcelona Special Tourism Accomodation Plan, IAAC blog

As a result of this change, the aforementioned responsible sectors have had to change their discourse. The private sector initially tried, without success, to blame the organized movements and is referring to them as mobilizers of “tourist-phobia” 13 . At this moment, business owners are trivializing the concept of sustainable tourism and use the classist discourse of quality tourism. This does not resolve anything because the problems are not a matter of quality or tourist behaviour, they are a matter of size , disorderly markets and power relationships.

The local government is making steps, in recent years it has been formed by means of a municipal candidacy partly arising from social movements and including a program that reflected part of their demands. Mostly, it has kick-started critical discourses with the tourist sector at an institutional level and for the first time, some interesting but moderate measures have been proposed. But in the end, as the mandate progresses, the local government seems to have settled with the idea of managing the process of touristification without aspiring to stop or effectively reverse it.

The Airport as Catalyser of Global Tourism in Barcelona

The growth of tourism and real-estate (oriented towards a floating population) in Barcelona cannot be explained without mentioning the infrastructure behind global and regional access, allowing the movement of tourists, temporary residents and investors. International aviation has been crucial for the development of Barcelona as one of the main tourist destination in the Mediterranean periphery. This process was possible thanks to various political and economic factors: the public investment in airports and incentives for airlines, the non-existent taxation of aviation, the liberalization of the aviation sector resulting in the ability to purchase cheap tickets and the increase of European and international airline connections.

Takeoffs at Barcelona Airport

The fact that 82% of tourists arrive in Barcelona by airplane 14 , along with an exponential increase in the number of international arrivals, seems to be the main catalyser of the production of global tourism. In the last 2 decades, the amount of travellers recorded at the airport of Barcelona has increased by more than 20 million. This has facilitated a 17% increase in Barcelona’s tourism over the last 5 years. This system of mobility has strong environmental implications, it is estimated that the transport by air plane represents 75% of the carbon emission from tourism in Barcelona (the total emissions include transport, accommodation and tourist attractions) while 92% of the carbon emissions from tourism in Barcelona 15 can be allocated to transport as a whole. A tourist who arrives in Barcelona by air plane consumes 605,7 kg of CO2 on average instead, a tourist who arrives by train only consumes 52,9 kg of CO2 16 . Long distance flights have a very significant effect, approximately 25% of tourists arrive in Barcelona by means of a transatlantic flight and they alone generate 58,2% of the carbon emissions associated with touristic transport 17 .

In this way, the airport of Barcelona contributes to the exposure of high environmental pollution to many residents in Castelldefels, el Prat y Gavà. The WHO (World Health Organization) has recognized the noise pollution of airports as a serious public health problem which can result in hearing loss, communication problems, concentration problems, sleep disorders, cardiovascular problems and mental health decline 18 .

Action by Prou Soroll. © Prou Soroll

Based on ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) forecasts on international aviation growth in the next decades, a lot of governments justify the construction of new airports, terminals or the extension of landing strips. Spain’s national Ministry of Development and AENA, a state-owned company that manages the general interest in airports and heliports in Spain, plan the expansion of Barcelona’s airport in order to meet a demand of 25 million passengers more (mounting to 70 million passengers). An operation which will include the Girona-Costa Brava airport 19 .

The recent Tourism Marketing Strategy Plan, promoted by Barcelona Tourism on behalf of the City Council, complements on the territory the enormous tourism growth planned by the infrastructure expansion. Once again by the false promise of de-concentrating tourism to reduce its impacts, the affected territory is enlarged to continue growing in already touristified areas and to start the process in others not yet been exploited. After the generalization of the problem from the centre to most of the neighbourhoods, now they define as the tourist destination not just the city, but the full demarcation of Barcelona, overflowing its municipal boundaries. If tourism and touristification are essentially about territory and mobility, the infrastructural growth coincidentally allies with this extension of the battlefield.

The amplification of this infrastructure, along with the increase of cruise ship ports, will deepen itself even more in the disequilibrium between the touristic exploitation of the city and residential life – which has been and still is settled with the expulsion of the second by means of the first. Because of this, the contribution of tourism and air transport to the climate crisis will be disastrous.

The management of Barcelona’s “access-ports” is supervised by the Spanish State where Barcelona’s City Council only has residual bargaining power. This means that the future of aviation and urban coexistence remains far from the influence of Barcelona’s population.

Given this diagnosis, the social movements call for the Degrowth of tourism and aviation!

14 Idem (1) 15 Rico, A. et al. (2019) Carbon footprint of tourism in Barcelona. Journal of Tourism Management, 70, 491-504 16 Idem 17 Idem 18 Forastel P., M., et al. (2010) Informe sobre los efectos adversos del ruido ambiental, englobando el ruido producido por el transporte aéreo. Centre de Recerca en Epidemiologia Ambiental, Barcelona 19 The project is not yet definite. Both the Ministry of Development and AENA have announced the expansion project in various public decrees. This year AENA prepared a service for the development of studies concerning the expansion project. Some news (in Spanish) can be found here: https://www.fomento.gob.es/el-ministerio/sala-de-prensa/noticias/lun-04032019-0815 https://www.lavanguardia.com/economia/20190305/46839144552/el-prat-terminal-satelite-aena-fechas-construccion.html?utm_campaign=botones_sociales&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter https://www.lavanguardia.com/economia/20180212/44737344302/aeropuerto-barcelona-el-prat-terminal.html

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