Panic in famous European city about £1bn plan to attract 'super-rich' tourists

Locals in the Spanish city of Barcelona fear plans to attract €1bn of revenue by pandering to super-rich tourists will turn their home into a playground for the wealthy - like Monte Carlo or Monaco.

Barcelona currently attracts around 12 million visitors a year - and its residents have long complained about the impacts of over-tourism.  However, the city's latest attempt to attract " quality rather than quantity" tourism has got some Barcelonians panicked.

They fear hosting the America’s Cup yacht race in the city this year will price out all but the wealthiest visitors. And locals fear it will have an even worse impact on them than mass tourism has done.     

Mateu Hernández, the head of the public-private body Barcelona Tourism, has defended the plan. He said that The  America’s Cup - which started on August 22 and runs until October 27 - is a magnet for people "who love the sea and have plenty of disposable income".

"We are interested in these people," he said. "We need to improve the quality of those who visit. But people confuse quality with wealth. What we want is people who come here to do something, whether it’s to visit museums or enjoy the architecture and the gastronomy.”

However, his vision is not shared by all. Opponents of the America’s Cup plan say they do not see how Barcelonians will benefit, reports The Guardian. 

Martí Cusó is a spokesperson for the Platform Against the Cup, an umbrella group representing about 150 community organisations. He said no one has explained where or how the hoped-for €1bn in revenue is going to be distributed. 

Mr Cusó said that property rents have already increased in Barceloneta - the seafront neighbourhood that would be a focal point during America's Cup. And mooring fees for sailing yachts have reportedly soared from €1,000 to €15,000 a month for the duration of the competition.

Mr Cusó said that people are also concerned that hosting the competition "reinforces the idea" that Barcelona's economy is based on tourism.  "What we want is diversification," added Mr Cuso.

Ivy Scrancher, a local yacht skipper, has also slammed the plan. He claims that very few of the race organisers were local.

He said that  "all the people who are actually making money from this big event aren’t from here”. Scrancher added: "They come from New Zealand or Australia or elsewhere.

"They make 12 or 20 grand a month and take it back home. The only Spanish people involved are volunteers.” 

Esther Jorquera, who lives in Barceloneta, agreed. She said that 2,000 people had been asked to volunteer - which should have been 2,000 new jobs.   

“They promised us jobs and then ask us to work for free,” she added