Anti-Tourism Protests in Spain: Activists Smear Excrement on Rental Property Lockboxes

By Ivan PetrenkoJul 18, 2024 19:30 PMNews
Share:
Lockers in a modern interior
Lockers with periodic table elements in a science center. Source: pixabay

Recent anti-tourism protests in Spain have escalated, with activists resorting to extreme measures to deter visitors. In Seville, several short-term rental properties have been targeted, their lockboxes smeared with excrement.

According to reports from the Spanish newspaper ABC, these incidents have been concentrated in the Andalusian capital. The targeted lockboxes, which contain keys for tourist apartments, were found covered in brown muck, signaling the growing frustration among locals.

This wave of protests coincides with a new proposal by the Seville city mayor to limit licenses for short-term rentals, such as those offered by Airbnb. The proposal aims to cap tourist apartments at 10 percent of the total accommodation in certain areas, a move intended to address the burgeoning problem of overtourism.

However, the proposed restrictions have not been universally welcomed. The main opposition party, PSOE, has blocked the bill, arguing that the measures do not go far enough in curbing the proliferation of tourist rentals. Public support for a crackdown on tourist apartments is growing, with hundreds of locals recently gathering in Seville to demand an end to Airbnb licenses.

The uncontrolled rise in tourist accommodations is driving up rents in the city center, forcing locals out. This issue is particularly acute in the vibrant Alameda district, where many of the targeted lockboxes were found. Seville is not alone in facing these challenges. Barcelona has also seen significant anti-tourism protests, with locals taking vigilante actions such as spraying visitors with water pistols. The Catalan capital has announced plans to eliminate all tourist rentals by 2028.

Other Spanish cities, including Palma, Malaga, and Valencia, have introduced measures to regulate tourist numbers. These measures include tourist taxes and limits on the number of holiday rentals. Despite these efforts, government statistics indicate a nine percent increase in the number of tourist apartments over the past year, with more than 340,000 now registered across Spain.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Rail workers using heavy machinery during track maintenance

Glasgow Rail Line Weekend Shutdowns Affect Travel Plans in August

Jul 31, 2025 23:45 PM
Modern hotel room with large bed, decorative pillows, and warm lighting

Hotel Indigo Debuts in Clerkenwell’s Bustling Food Quarter

Jul 31, 2025 21:23 PM

Beach Destinations See Surge in Popularity Amid Global Heat

Jul 31, 2025 20:59 PM

New Radisson Blu Hotel Enhances Accommodation Options in Riyadh

Jul 30, 2025 23:37 PM
Cozy hotel room with wooden headboard and framed artwork above the bed

NH Collection Palermo Palazzo Sitano Opens in Historic City Center

Jul 30, 2025 21:45 PM
Qatar Airways aircraft in flight against blue sky

Qatar Airways Boosts Winter Flights to Key Global Destinations

Jul 30, 2025 19:22 PM
ScotRail train at an empty station platform

ScotRail Boosts Late-Night Services to Ease Travel During Edinburgh Festivals

Jul 30, 2025 07:38 AM
Passenger using smartphone during flight

Two Tickets in One Click: JetBlue and United Simplify Complex Routes

Jul 29, 2025 23:43 PM
Bedroom interior with bedside table and lamp

Florø Prepares to Expand Accommodation Options for Visitors

Jul 29, 2025 21:36 PM

Southwest Changes Boarding Rules and Adds New Winter Destinations for 2026

Jul 29, 2025 19:28 PM

Hyatt Centric Anjuna Goa to Open in Town Center, Bringing New Stay Option to Anjuna

Jul 29, 2025 17:42 PM
Woman checking travel information on her phone during a flight

Philippine Airlines Introduces Pre-Flight Emails with Essential Travel Details

Jul 29, 2025 02:35 AM
Railway workers performing track maintenance during engineering works

Weekend Engineering Works to Affect Rail Access Between Stalybridge and Dewsbury

Jul 28, 2025 23:25 PM
View of South African Airways wing over landscape during flight

New Non-Stop Route from Cape Town Opens Up Mauritius for Travelers

Jul 28, 2025 21:32 PM
A woman using her smartphone while sitting on public transport

East Midlands Railway Cuts Fares on Summer Routes Across UK

Jul 28, 2025 20:47 PM

New Ryanair System Changes How Travellers Book Through Agencies

Jul 28, 2025 16:26 PM

Holiday Inn Express Brings Overnight Option to Changanassery’s Lively Local Streets

Jul 28, 2025 14:33 PM
American Airlines aircraft preparing for departure on the runway

Denver Departure Chaos: American Airlines Flight Evacuated After Smoke Alert

Jul 27, 2025 23:54 PM
View from airplane window showing coastline and river below during flight over Borneo

Malaysia and Indonesia Open New Direct Air Routes to Simplify Travel to Borneo

Jul 27, 2025 20:31 PM
Train navigating complex rail junction under overhead infrastructure

Rail Disruptions in Liguria: RFI Construction Projects Will Impact August Travel

Jul 26, 2025 23:41 PM
Condor Airbus A330neo with green and white striped livery on airport runway

New daily Condor flights reshape the flight map of Europe

Jul 26, 2025 21:37 PM
Airplane flying overhead against a partly cloudy sky

Gdańsk Opens New Direct Route to Agadir, Simplifying Travel to Morocco’s Coast

Jul 26, 2025 20:26 PM

New Direct Flights Connect Taipei and Phoenix, Expanding Access to Southwest U.S. Destinations

Jul 26, 2025 19:43 PM

South Wales Rail Upgrades to Impact Travel Access in Early August

Jul 26, 2025 18:39 PM
easyJet aircraft on airport tarmac with boarding stairs

Euro Final in the Sky: easyJet to Announce Scores to Passengers During Flights

Jul 25, 2025 23:27 PM
Multiple railway tracks with red signal and overhead wires

Expect Delays: Leicester–Peterborough Line Closed 2 and 3 August

Jul 25, 2025 21:34 PM