The residents of Malaga, Spain, have started placing posters in buildings asking tourists to “go home” due to the increase in the flow of tourists to the country. Malaga usually attracts millions of holidaymakers every year. However, angry locals are now voicing their displeasure in clear terms.
As a result, the residents of Malaga have resorted to an unconventional means of protest. The city is decorated with a flood of stickers adorning the walls and doors, conveying the feelings of its inhabitants towards visitors, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
As one of Spain’s top destinations, Malaga has long been a magnet for travellers seeking sun, sea, and cultural experiences.
Moreover, Madrid and Malaga are expected to experience significant growth in international tourism in 2024 compared to pre-pandemic levels, a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council has revealed.
Madrid is projected to see up to a 25 per cent increase, while Malaga, known as the capital of the Costa del Sol, could experience a surge of up to 30 per cent in international tourist arrivals.
Residents Complain It Is Increasingly More Difficult to Live in Malaga Due to Tourism Impact
Many residents complain that they’ve been forced to leave their rented homes, as homeowners are looking forward to turning them into short-term rentals in order to increase their rental income.
Expressing solidarity with the affected individuals, the provincial secretary of the PSOE, Dani Pérez, took to social media to shed light on the dire situation. Perez complained about the widespread presence of lock boxes for tourist rentals on the streets of Malaga, highlighting the profound impact on the city’s residential landscape.
You walk the streets of Málaga, and it’s virtually impossible to find a residential building that doesn’t have a lock box [for tourist rentals].
Lawyer Warns Against Overlooking Tourism’s Economic Impact
Amid rising tensions surrounding anti-tourism sentiment in Malaga, local lawyer Juan Luis Gomez has emerged as a vocal critic of the campaign. Gomez expressed reservations about outright opposition to tourism, emphasizing its vital role in the city’s economy.
The layer has pointed out that those who oppose tourism fail to recognise its importance in providing employment opportunities, comparing it to that which relies solely on the aerospace industry for a living.
The Costa del Sol region, including Malaga, has long been a favourite destination for British holidaymakers seeking a sun-soaked retreat in Spain. According to Euro News, 2023 saw a record influx of 14 million holidaymakers from Spain and abroad, further strengthening the area’s status as a tourist hotspot.
