Cheesy souvenir shops follow tourists wherever they go. But not in Barcelona anymore. The popular European destination is expanding its “protected zones” and prohibit “offensive” souvenirs, as well as tourist apartments.
Mass tourism has caused several inconveniences to Spain in recent years. The proliferation of souvenir shops in traditional residential areas, the local government has pushed for regulation.
With the new regulation, visitors will no longer find such shops in areas such as the famous Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Horta-Guinardó, Sant Antoni, Camp Nou and around Casa Vicens in Gràcia.
But most importantly, Barcelona bans all souvenirs offensive, “sticky and tasteless messages that tarnish Barcelona’s image as a tourist destination.”
ERC’s deputy spokesperson Jordi Coronas gave some examples of the “offensive” souvenirs that can easily be spotted while walking through the busy Ciutat Vella.
These include “Penises with the brand ‘Barcelona’ on them or T-shirts with sexist and homophobic messages,” content that the politicians say, “Destroying the image of the city.”
For example, City Hall is amending the Special Plan for the Organization of Souvenir Shops.
It now focuses on providing a healthy balance between what locals need and what tourists want, especially in high-traffic areas.
Vice Mayor for Economy Jordi Valls welcomed the new regulation, but warned that implementing such restrictions could be challenging.
There are no “regulatory criteria for the content or aesthetic quality of souvenirs.” Bad taste can be very subjective.
“It is difficult to standardize it because what is considered bad taste is a matter of very high subjectivity,” he said.
Coronas advocates an “imaginative solution” to successfully implement the new ban.
But that’s not the only change visitors to Barcelona will see in the coming years.
To reduce the major housing crisis, Barcelona will ban all tourist apartments by November 2028.
In an effort to provide more long-term housing for locals, Mayor Jaume Collboni has refused to renew all permits for tourist accommodation from now on.
In addition, the city has closed approximately 10,000 illegal tourist rentals since 2016.
House prices have risen so much that those interested in purchasing a home are having to pay 68% more than they did just a few years ago.
If buying a home is too much and you’d rather rent a house, be prepared to pay 70% more than you paid when you came to town in 2014.
These circumstances have led Barcelona to make this unpopular decision. But keep in mind that this could be the future of other European destinations where their streets are overrun with tourists.
