A new bout of overtourism protests are scheduled for 15 June across Spain – in the Canary Islands, Majorca, Barcelona and other cities like Ibiza, Valencia and Bilbao. A number of exhibitions are scheduled the following day. Will they see any disruption?
Last summer, in 2024, unhappy residents took to the streets of Barcelona, the Canary Islands and Majorca to protest against the overcrowding by tourists in peak seasons. Some even blamed rising house prices on tourists and “digital nomads”.
This week, a new round of protests is taking place, organised by the Southern European Network Against Touristisation. The protests began in earnest in April 2025, with thousands taking to the streets to voice concerns about mass tourism and the rising cost of living (allegedly) driven by tourism.
Activist groups like Menys Turisme, Més Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) in Majorca, are demanding more sustainable tourism practices, limits on growth and better protection for local environments and communities. These groups are organising coordinated actions in cities across Spain, including Palma (Majorca), Barcelona, Lanzarote and Donostia-San Sebastián.
Message to tourists in graffiti in Barcelona, Spain
Major demonstrations are scheduled in the following cities:
- Palma (Majorca): Led by Menys Turisme, Més Vida, with participation from 60 groups
- Ibiza, Lanzarote, Tenerife: Protests organized by local activist groups addressing tourism’s impact on housing and infrastructure
- Barcelona: Activists plan to disrupt tourist hotspots, including the Sagrada Família, using water pistols and other symbolic actions
- Valencia, Bilbao, Donostia-San Sebastián, Santander, Pamplona: Demonstrations focusing on sustainable tourism practices and local rights
What does it mean for exhibitions?
Thankfully for event organisers, the protests are scheduled on a Sunday. However, the following day, in Barcelona alone, the following events are scheduled to take place:
- CineEurope (16-19 June) – exhibition for cinema industry at Fira Barcelona
- Incise 2025 (16-19 June) – exhibition for submarine canyon investigation at L’Institut de Ciències del Mar, Barcelona
- SIL Barcelona 2025 (18-20 June) – exhibition for transport and logistics at Fira Barcelona
Key venues that might be impacted
- Fira de Barcelona (Barcelona)
- Palma Arena (Palma, Majorca)
- Gran Canaria Arena (Canary Islands)
- Palau de Congressos de Catalunya (Barcelona)
For organisers, the key will certainly be to monitor local developments. Protesters are certainly not targeting business travellers, who are in essence the remedy to all of their concerns – a high-spending, high-contributing visitor that doesn’t crowd popular sites and visits outside peak seasons.
With that said, any delegates coming to Spain over the next week may face some degree of disruption.
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