Tourists are not welcome in much of Spain, as the anti-tourist rhetoric ratcheted up last week, with protestors throwing objects at tourists, pushing them back into hotels, and squirting water guns and pressured opened soda cans at tourists, chasing them away from their meals at restaurants.
Per this video (excellent – the best, most informative coverage of this issue), the anti-tourism protesters have been putting up fake signs warning of fake dangers at various places. The signs look official and are turning visitors away. In addition to watching the video, read the comments – very informative.
Previously, there were protests aimed at the government about the effects of tourism, and the perceived poor management of tourism in the country. Last week, this changed – and protesters began attacking tourists. Tourism is reported to represent 12-15% of Spain’s GDP.
Just a week ago I was outlining a possible trip to Spain – although last year I put together a 2-week trip plan but due to my injuries, we could not travel (still dealing with the injury healing). At the beginning of the week, I started outlining a 2 week off season trip just to Barcelona. The very next day, the protests happened. I have crossed Spain off our travel plans for now – even for the off season. Which is unfortunate in that I have been studying Spanish.
I did not travel to Europe for the first time until age 63, and now have been to Europe only twice for a cumulative total of less than 4 weeks. When I travel, I seek to observe and to learn. Prior to each of my 2 trips, I read books on the history and culture of the destination countries. For one country, I spent 2 years, on my own, studying the local language (today I can read it quite well but cannot speak it very well as I have no one to practice with). I am not your typical “traveler” looking to spend 1-2 days at each tourist hot spot and grabbing a selfie – instead, I am looking to spend a week – or hopefully, a month – or more at various locations – so far, I have yet to go to a tourist hot spot at all.
I do not have a country count goal (I am at 4, not counting Canada – England, Netherlands, Iceland and Norway (Jeg snakke litt Norsk)). My goal, ultimately, is to have a meaningful experience – I am jealous of the 100% of my colleagues who were born abroad, studied abroad, or worked or lived abroad and who developed significant global skills as result of those experiences.
Unfortunately, at my age, most experiences are “travel” – there is not an option (or practicality) for studying abroad or working abroad once you pass a certain age except to do something on your own (but the world does not need another travel writer!)