In Malaga, Spain, a clash between tourism and local life is brewing.
While tourists flock to enjoy the city's sunny beaches and rich history,
many residents are unhappy with the influx.
The residents have banded together to launch a sticker campaign,
plastering messages on buildings urging tourists to “go home”. The
stickers also address issues like rising rent and the loss of affordable
housing to tourist accommodations, with messages such as “stinks of
tourists”, “a family used to live here”, and “before this was my house”.
Locals feel pushed out of their own neighbourhoods as properties are
converted into short-term rentals. Despite this discontent, there's a
divide among residents. Some advocate for better regulations to manage
tourism's impact, while others simply want fewer visitors.
The situation reflects a broader concern about the balance between
economic growth from tourism and preserving the city's cultural
identity. As Malaga attracts millions of tourists each year, tensions
between locals and visitors continue to simmer, raising questions about
the city's future direction.