Comedian Michael Barrymore Targeted by Spanish Anti-Tourism Group After Abandoning Barcelona Move
British comedian Michael Barrymore has become the latest focus of Spanish anti-tourism campaigners after revealing he had dropped plans to relocate to Barcelona.
The former television presenter, known for shows like “Kids Say The Funniest Things,” had previously shared a video on TikTok in December, filmed in front of the Sagrada Familia.
His light-hearted online post, sarcastically captioned, “Ignoring Sagrada Familia because I’m a local now (I’ve been here 2 weeks),” showed him playfully obstructing the view with his hand.
“Expats Go Home” Message Directed at Barrymore
However, “Guiris Go Home,” an Instagram page known for its stance against tourism, reposted Barrymore’s video in the Catalan capital. They overlaid it with the message, “Expats go home,” following his announcement that he would not be moving to the city, according to reports.
Earlier this month, Barrymore informed his 3.5 million social media followers of his decision to move to a “house with a garden” in the UK, seemingly abandoning his property search in Barcelona.
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In a video shared online before his return to the UK, he expressed homesickness to his dog and fans, stating, “You know what Lara, I’m a f***ing mess, so homesick, I’ve never experienced it before.”
Rising Tensions Against Mass Tourism in Spain
Discontent towards British visitors and expatriates is escalating as Spain approaches the peak summer season. Foreign visitor numbers surged to nearly 22 million last year, exacerbating concerns among locals.
Protest groups are increasingly vocal against overcrowding, soaring rental costs, and the perceived “touristification” of the Spanish economy. They criticize what they view as inadequate government action to address these issues.
Several prominent activist groups recently issued a strongly worded letter to tourists planning to visit Mallorca, describing the current situation as being “like a war.”
A group protesting ‘overtourism’ in Spain shared Barrymore’s video with an overlaid caption.
Activists claim ‘Mallorca is not the paradise’ advertised to tourists, asserting locals are ‘angry and no longer hospitable’ due to holidaymakers impacting their home. Pictured: Protests in Mallorca last July.
Anti-holidaymaker protests are intensifying, with graffiti such as ‘kill a tourist’ appearing in Majorca.
The letter, posted on social media platform X, declared: “ENOUGH! STAY HOME! We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem.”
It continued, “The island has been exploited to unimaginable limits, leading to the collapse we are now suffering.”
“The money generated by the tourism industry has attracted people from all over the world who trade with our island.”
“The greed and avarice of hoteliers, politicians, real estate investors, and all kinds of ‘parasites’ have brought us to an emergency situation,” the letter asserted.
Speaking on behalf of local residents, the authors urged: “We ask you, DO NOT COME.”
“We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem.”
“Locals say: ENOUGH. STAY HOME!”
Ibiza Viewpoint Blocked Amid Tourist Resentment
This letter followed recent incidents in Ibiza, where a popular sunset viewpoint was barricaded with boulders. Landowners, frustrated by overcrowding at the Es Vedra viewpoint, a site attracting thousands of daily visitors, took action to restrict access.
A clear sign now posted at the location reads: “Private Property. Restricted Access.”
Visitors to Ibiza were met with disappointment after a popular viewpoint was blocked off with boulders.
Graffiti reading ‘kill a tourist’ has been seen in Tenerife, reflecting Spain’s anti-tourism protest movement.
A protester in Mallorca holds a sign stating ‘Take back your drunks, give back our homes’ during protests last July.
Tenerife Protests Turn Violent with Car Arson
The blockade in Ibiza was preceded by more drastic actions in Tenerife, where activists reportedly set fire to a number of rental cars in a dramatic protest.
Video footage circulating online appeared to show masked individuals using flammable liquid to ignite approximately 20 rental vehicles in Costa Adeje, a resort favored by British tourists.
Demonstrators in Tenerife and other locations blame tourists for driving up rental prices and contributing to a cost of living crisis that is displacing local residents.
Some campaigners have even threatened to escalate protests further by disrupting airport operations.
In January, graffiti containing the threat “kill a tourist” appeared in Tenerife, underscoring the intensity of the anti-tourism sentiment on the island.
A resident who spotted the slogan on a building in southern Tenerife expressed concern to LBC, stating that the mass protest movement against overcrowding was becoming excessive.
Speaking anonymously for safety reasons, the resident said, “Things on the islands are getting worse due to the large number of tourists and new residents, which leave us without homes and severely affect our natural environment.”
The local resident added that there is a growing sense of desperation for change and respect among island inhabitants.
“But perhaps this does not justify those actions, which seem to be escalating. It’s frightening,” they admitted.
A demonstrator in Alicante held a placard reading ‘tourism=misery’ during protests last year.
Banners reading ‘stop turismo’ were part of marches through Alicante.
Overtourism Fuels Protests Across Spain
“Overtourism” is cited as a major factor contributing to pressures on housing and wages across Spain. Protests have occurred in major Spanish cities as people demonstrate against economies heavily reliant on tourism.
Last summer, in Alicante, a significant protest march was organized, demanding limits on the tourism industry due to concerns about locals being priced out of housing and trapped in precarious seasonal employment.
An organizer from the “Alicante donde vas?” group explained to MailOnline that the aim was to make the “conflict visible” and to urge local authorities to prioritize the needs of residents over the desires of tourists.
Salva, a spokesperson for the group, stated, “The fatigue of many people in Mallorca, the Canary Islands, Barcelona, or Alicante, is enormous; the anxiety and stress of having difficulty renting a house; or for suffering horrible working conditions; or not being able to sleep well because there is a tourist apartment in your community… ends up causing pain and suffering that can fuel hostile reactions towards tourists.”
Escalating Hostility Towards Tourists
Protests have become increasingly aggressive in some regions. In Palma, Mallorca, up to 50,000 residents protested, notably directing some anger towards English football fans after their team’s Euros exit last July.
In another major demonstration within two months, protestors held banners in English reading: “Take back your drunks, give back our homes.”
The anti-tourism sentiment took a darker turn with the appearance of “Kill a Tourist” graffiti in Manacor, Mallorca.
Earlier in July, in Barcelona, protestors used water pistols against tourists during marches in popular visitor areas.
Police reported that approximately 2,800 individuals participated in these Barcelona demonstrations, calling for a revised economic model that would lessen the reliance on mass tourism.