A TikTok user has been sharing videos of the drastically different atmosphere in the Spanish city, noting the significant drop in tourist numbers and the impact it has had on the local economy
A formerly bustling Spanish destination now looks “deserted” as British holidaymakers have seemingly turned their backs the location for other getaways, representing another example of Spain facing unexpectedly quiet spells this year. Video footage doing the rounds online shows completely empty streets across the area.
Laura, known as lauratravelvlogs on TikTok, has been documenting Barcelona’s drastically altered look this year, using her own two-year experience living in the city to showcase the marked decline in tourist numbers. For months, she’s been sharing videos displaying Spain’s strangely silent streets, tranquil roads and deserted beaches – all highlighting the major change in the country’s tourism scene.
Adding a caption to a recent video of remarkably deserted streets, Laura asked: “Sorry, no one can argue that these roads leading up to the beach were not packed in 2023?” Concerning Spain’s new-found calm in recent months, it seems others echo her views.
Laura observed that whilst some tourists continue to visit key attractions “for now”, she claimed that spending has hit an “all time low”. She has observed a striking change over the past two years and continues to be amazed by the city’s silence.
In a previous post, Laura also showed how empty the city centre had become during the summer months because “tourists don’t feel welcome”. She believes the protests that have taken place across Spain have completely put off potential visitors, reports Bristol Live.
The video has generated numerous comments since being shared, with viewers sharing varied opinions. The reactions were quite divided.
One person wrote: “One by one businesses from all sectors will start to close – that’s the sad thing.”
Another added: “There’s already a lot of smaller towns that have fallen into despair.
“So many people have lost their jobs due to the drop in tourism. It’s madness – they’ll be begging people to go back in a few years.”
A third viewer replied: “Tourism in Spain is 40% down. The south coast of Spain was eerily quiet last week.”
A fourth also noted: “Spain is old news – there are far nicer countries to spend your money in.”
Some queried when the footage was recorded, whilst others argued it wasn’t entirely bleak. One person stated they visited in March and witnessed “hundreds more” people about, despite some Britons declaring the destination as “finished” for tourism.
Reports indicate that Spain has been abandoned by numerous tourists, with its eateries and coastlines appearing nearly deserted. For the first time since the pandemic, areas of the country are experiencing declining visitor figures, worsened by years of anti-tourist demonstrations by residents.
In August, photographs from Benidorm revealed lines of vacant seats outside numerous bars and restaurants alongside unusually deserted beaches. This proves particularly striking for such sought-after tourist destinations during the summer period.
Miguel Pérez-Marsá, who heads the nightlife association, previously informed Majorca Daily Bulletin: “The tourists we’re interested in are being driven away; they don’t feel welcome and are going to other destinations.”
Tour guides are also experiencing the consequences.
Pedro Oliver, president of the College of Tour Guides, disclosed that excursion bookings have crashed by 20% this summer. He explained: “If you generate negative news, which has repercussions in other countries, tourists opt for other destinations when choosing their holidays,” before adding, “We are sending the message that we don’t want tourists and that everything is too crowded.”