Protests in Barcelona: Tourists, Go Home!
drive up: to make something increase or become higher
Recently, people in Barcelona protested against too many tourists in their city. They walked through popular tourist areas and squirted water at visitors. They carried signs that said, “Barcelona is not for sale.”
About 2,800 people joined the protest. They say that tourists drive up prices and make it difficult for locals to find affordable housing.
The mayor of Barcelona plans to stop renting apartments to tourists by 2028. He also wants to increase the tourist tax to €4 per night. These changes aim to make life better for the city’s residents.
However, tourism also brings a lot of money to Barcelona. In 2023, tourists spent €12.75 billion in the region. This money supports local businesses and jobs.
Protests like this are happening in other places too, like the Canary Islands and Mallorca. Many locals in tourist spots want to reduce the number of visitors to protect their quality of life.
Sample sentences
1. High demand for concert tickets can drive up prices, making them very expensive.
2. Building a new park can drive up property values nearby, which is good for homeowners.
3. Advertising a product well can drive up sales quickly
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Barcelona anti-tourism protesters fire water pistols at visitors