Barcelona is embarking on a mission to tackle the chaotic selfie circus that has engulfed the vicinity of the iconic Sagrada Familia. The city revealed plans to create a dedicated space near Gaudi’s masterpiece to alleviate the congestion caused by selfie-taking tourists, a situation that has irked locals for years.
For more than a decade, residents have voiced their grievances over the growing hordes of visitors that congest the streets around the Sagrada Familia. Drawing millions annually, the basilica ranks as the second most visited site in Spain, after the Alhambra in Granada. While tourism is a vital economic driver for Barcelona, bringing in billions of euros and supporting thousands of jobs, the city also bears significant costs in maintaining infrastructure and services for tourists.
In response to the mounting pressures, city authorities have unveiled plans for a 6,200-square-meter public plaza, termed an ‘anteroom’, designed to provide a gathering space for tourists before they enter the basilica. Positioned between the Nativity façade and Plaça Gaudí, this plaza aims to offer a venue for visitors to rest and take photos, thereby easing the strain on the surrounding area.
Set to commence construction post-summer and slated for completion by April 2026, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudí’s death, the project forms part of a broader €15.5 million initiative to enhance infrastructure and visitor management around the Sagrada Familia.
The selfie-tourist trend is not unique to Barcelona, with other destinations like Portofino in Italy and Hallstatt in Austria also grappling with similar issues. Bali recently tightened its visitor regulations, reflecting a global concern over the impact of mass tourism on local communities.
Barcelona’s efforts to address overtourism extend beyond the Sagrada Familia project. In 2023, the city launched a €44 million plan to manage crowds at 16 key locations, accompanied by a rebranding campaign to shift away from mass tourism. Initiatives include the removal of streets from digital maps to divert tourist traffic and the implementation of an app to notify visitors of overcrowded attractions.
Despite occasional respite during the pandemic, tensions between residents and tourists have persisted, leading to acts of protest such as graffiti denouncing the adverse effects of tourism on the city. Barcelona’s stance emphasizes the need to strike a balance between welcoming tourists and preserving the quality of life for its inhabitants.
As Barcelona continues to navigate the complexities of tourism management, the city’s evolving strategies underscore the broader challenges faced by popular destinations worldwide in reconciling the benefits and drawbacks of mass tourism.
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