Tourist Risks in Barcelona

[jgpryde]

This is not directly related to this mornings news but important none the less. I received this message from my travel insurance company this morning.


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HTH Alerts for Thursday, August 17, 2017
Anti-Tourism Protest Activity continues in Barcelona
Countries: Spain
Category: Unrest
Rating: Low

According to local media reports on Thursday, 17 August, anti-tourist protest behaviour is continuing in central Barcelona as visitors have reported being struck by eggs and projectiles thrown by the city's residents. Some locals increasingly view visitors as a burden rather and have reacted violently. On 12 August, about 200 people from the Barceloneta neighbourhood took to the city's beach to protest the proliferation of tourist apartments and last month, masked youths attacked a tourist bus in the city.

Clients are advised that protests are anticipated to remain largely symbolic, publicity-seeking actions and should not pose a significant physical security concern for travellers. However personnel in the area should monitor local media sources for updates on planned anti-tourism protests and avoid these to avoid incidental violence.

©2017 Drum Cussac. All Rights reserved.





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[hel&scott]

This, and this mornings news is sad indeed. We've had a long love affair with Barcelona, and always started our Camino trips there. But even in the 1970s the locals had strong views on tourists. It's a problem Spain and other places struggle with. As discussed in other threads on the French Way it's had to see visitor numbers crush the spirit of the places we love to visit, but it's also a fact that many of these places only survive and grow on the back of the euros that are brought into the place by tourists / pilgrims.
A few eggs thrown by locals making their views known I think we can probably handle, but as the Press report the mad drive along Las Ramblas is not an extension of this protest...

 

[Diane Borden]

We spent 3 days in Barcelona post our Camino. We LOVED it. We never felt unsafe or unwelcome. We bought Barcelona cards ( http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/ ) which came with a card for unlimited public transportation. So we were all over the city visiting as many museums and sites as we could - including La Rambla. We were there just 2 days before the recent attack so have a strong visual of how busy with people this stretch is. So very sad. That said, we would return to Barcelona and to La Rambla.

Sadly these car driving attacks have become more common - all over the world. Who knows if they will continue, yet perhaps it is simply a matter of doing what you can to think through a situation ahead of time. You will never think of everything and your chances of actually really being in "the wrong place" very slim - but as a casual add to just having basic street smarts, to also think through your potential "emergency exits" and if with a group your meet-up spot should you get separated...could be helpful...

Our hearts our with Barcelona and the many familes grieving in this very moment.

 

[Ray J]

What a shame. We spent several days in Barcelona after finishing the Frances in 2015 and had a wonderful time. Hopefully, these are isolated incidents.