08 Jun Tourists Love Barcelona, But It’s Not Mutual
How can a city with a unemployment rate of 19 percent scoff at any industry, especially one that accounts for 15 percent of its GDP? That was my first thought when I heard that the city of Barcelona is actively pursuing a strategy to keep tourists out. Then again, the issue of tourism and economic development is a complicated one and one that inspires strong emotions.
With its newly-elected Mayor, Ada Colau , leading the charge, the city of Barcelona (population 2 million) is on a ‘tourists go away’ kick. As this article from Bloomberg Business explains, Ms. Colau, along with a coalition of environmentalists and social activists, tends to see the dark side of visitors. They clog up local markets where locals want to buy their groceries; they encourage hotel development which crowds out housing; and honestly they can be pretty obnoxious to be around (okay, strictly speaking that’s not something that has been said, but it certainly has been implied). The poster-child for tourism-gone-bad is apparently Venice, which has basically become a theme-park for visitors and a place where fewer and fewer Italian citizens actually live (population has been on the decline since the 1960s). Barcelona doesn’t want to become Venice.
Then again, it depends who you ask. Visitors to Barcelona spend $13.9 billion annually and the tourism industry supports 100,000 jobs. You would have to be pretty tone-deaf on economic issues to want to destroy that. Indeed, the previous municipal government in Barcelona had plans to increase tourism from its current 7.5 million to 10 million per year, which would seem to make economic sense. Ms. Colau’s argument is that having those scruffy tourists around brings down locals’ quality of life, which is probably true in a sense. Wherever you live, it is somewhat annoying to not be able to find a table at your favorite café because its been overtaken by visitors. Then again, that’s a less serious problem than having crowds of unemployed young people swamping the streets because there are no jobs available.
Where I do agree with Ms. Colau and her supporters is in their argument that tourism tends to produce lower-quality jobs than many other industries. In a piece for the Guardian newspaper last year, she argued that many service sector jobs were producing slave-like working conditions. If that’s the case, that is certainly something she as a politician should indeed take a hard stand on, making it clear that employers must adhere to labor laws. And, if she can attract higher-value added industries – in tech or health care or whatever else – then of course she should do so.
Personally, I wonder if the whole keep tourists-out-of-Barcelona strategy is going to backfire spectacularly. I have only been to Barcelona once, but I remember it as an awesome place full of breathtaking architecture, amazing food, sunny skies and a lovely beach. Seeing Ms. Colau’s campaign splashed across the news this morning made me think I’d like to visit again. I doubt I’m the only one.
FabFilter 2019.3 Crack
Posted at 13:44h, 11 NovemberThanks for the blog article.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
childrens bouncy castle hire in bexley
Posted at 16:31h, 14 NovemberThank you for your blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
Relationship Advice
Posted at 19:18h, 14 NovemberIm obliged for the blog article.Much thanks again. Awesome.
Relationship Courses
Posted at 23:27h, 14 NovemberReally enjoyed this article.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
Dating Coach London
Posted at 23:30h, 14 NovemberA round of applause for your article post.Really thank you! Awesome.
Sony Tv
Posted at 17:27h, 15 NovemberThanks-a-mundo for the article post.Really thank you!
토토메이저
Posted at 08:41h, 16 NovemberAwesome post. Fantastic.
Relationship advice article
Posted at 08:48h, 16 NovemberI really like and appreciate your article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
Depression Counselling
Posted at 11:29h, 16 NovemberI really enjoy the article.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
Gclub
Posted at 11:33h, 16 NovemberI value the article post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
best cock ring
Posted at 14:44h, 16 NovemberGreat, thanks for sharing this blog article.Really thank you! Want more.
realistic dong
Posted at 15:02h, 16 NovemberI appreciate you sharing this blog article. Will read on…
Miss Date Doctor
Posted at 23:50h, 16 NovemberI appreciate you sharing this article post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
Miss Date Doctor
Posted at 23:56h, 16 NovemberReally appreciate you sharing this blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
메이저놀이터
Posted at 08:12h, 17 NovemberThanks a lot for the article.Really thank you!
먹튀사이트 유형
Posted at 12:44h, 18 NovemberVery informative blog. Great.
메이저토토
Posted at 12:49h, 18 NovemberThank you for your blog article.Thanks Again. Want more.
brent.baiotto
Posted at 15:38h, 18 NovemberThank you ever so for you blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
vibrating dong with harness
Posted at 15:45h, 18 NovemberEnjoyed every bit of your blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.
미술학원
Posted at 19:28h, 18 NovemberMajor thankies for the blog article.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
Ang Probinsyano Replay Episode
Posted at 16:29h, 20 NovemberAwesome blog article.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
how to use a vibrator
Posted at 23:20h, 02 DecemberVery informative blog post.Thanks Again. Fantastic.