NewsLocals in Spain's O Hio block crossings to protest tourist influx

Locals in Spain's O Hio block crossings to protest tourist influx

We reported several times this year that the Spanish have had enough of tourists. This time, the protesters did not stop at hanging banners and shouting slogans to deter tourists; they went a step further.

Crowds of tourists on the Spanish streets
Crowds of tourists on the Spanish streets
Images source: © Getty Images | Xavier Bonilla

6 September 2024 14:38

Spain has witnessed numerous protests related to excessive tourism this year. The slogan "Tourists go home!" has appeared on many banners. The residents of a small village in northwestern Spain expressed their displeasure in a different way.

Spaniards fight against tourists

In the town of O Hio, residents protested against the number of tourists by blocking pedestrian crossings. Walking back and forth over the crossings almost continuously for an hour, they caused significant traffic disruptions, exacerbating exactly the problem they were trying to combat. Their method may seem absurd, but the residents stand firm and explain their actions.

“Traffic problems are already common, but this year they have increased at least threefold,” said Mercedes Villar, a resident, to the local newspaper "La Voz de Galicia". “There's an avalanche of cars that not only pollutes the environment but also affects everyone's life, as tourists park wherever they want, not where they should,” she added. The protest aimed to raise awareness and sound an alarm,” said another resident of O Hio, quoted by Euro News. Stopping tourists in a traffic jam demonstrated what the Spaniards experience every day.

“We want people to act courteously and considerately, and if they see there's no parking space, they should leave the town,” added the resident.

traffic problems

Spaniards claim their driveways are often blocked, and traffic accidents are becoming more common. Additionally, residents are concerned that the situation will cause problems for emergency vehicles, such as ambulances or fire trucks. Furthermore, they highlight the litter that holidaymakers leave in parking areas.

Residents of the small seaside town say that while they are generally not opposed to tourism, they want the authorities to find a solution that benefits both sides.

Source: euronews.com

© Daily Wrap
·

Downloading, reproduction, storage, or any other use of content available on this website—regardless of its nature and form of expression (in particular, but not limited to verbal, verbal-musical, musical, audiovisual, audio, textual, graphic, and the data and information contained therein, databases and the data contained therein) and its form (e.g., literary, journalistic, scientific, cartographic, computer programs, visual arts, photographic)—requires prior and explicit consent from Wirtualna Polska Media Spółka Akcyjna, headquartered in Warsaw, the owner of this website, regardless of the method of exploration and the technique used (manual or automated, including the use of machine learning or artificial intelligence programs). The above restriction does not apply solely to facilitate their search by internet search engines and uses within contractual relations or permitted use as specified by applicable law.Detailed information regarding this notice can be found  here.