BARCELONA, Spain - On June 15, 2025, protesters in Barcelona and Mallorca, Spain, employed an unusual tactic in their fight against mass tourism: spraying unsuspecting visitors with water guns [1][2]. This action was part of a larger, coordinated demonstration across Southern Europe, marking the first joint effort by activists to address concerns about overtourism in popular destinations [3].

The protests, which saw thousands gather in Mallorca and hundreds more in other Spanish cities, Venice (Italy), and Lisbon (Portugal), aimed to challenge the current tourism-driven economic model [4]. Demonstrators argue that this model is exacerbating housing crises and eroding local character in their communities [1][3].

Andreu Martinez, a 42-year-old administrative assistant participating in the Barcelona protest, explained the water gun tactic: "The squirt guns are to bother the tourists a bit. Barcelona has been handed to the tourists. This is a fight to give Barcelona back to its residents" [1][2].

The demonstrations highlight growing tensions between local residents and the tourism industry in popular European destinations. Protesters are calling for a reassessment of economic strategies that they believe prioritize visitors over locals, leading to housing shortages and a loss of cultural identity [3][4].

While the use of water guns added a playful element to the protests, it underscores the serious concerns of residents who feel their cities are being overwhelmed by tourism. As Southern European destinations continue to grapple with the balance between economic benefits and quality of life for locals, these protests may signal a turning point in the ongoing debate over sustainable tourism practices [1][2][3][4].