Has Tourism Ruined Barcelona? | This Is How I Travel. My friend posted a video to Facebook from BBC’s Fast Track, questioning whether Barcelona has been spoiled by tourism. I commented that I could write a dissertation on the subject, and would only remark that the way forward in the tourism industry is responsible and sustainable attitudes towards tourism. But the more I thought about it, the more I thought it was a valuable topic to discuss, and, not being a fan of engaging in debates on Facebook, I’m here instead.
Don’t worry, I’m not going to write a dissertation on my blog, but I want to address a couple things the video mentioned. I don’t have enough space to touch on everything, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I don’t think it important – I just don’t want you to all run away at the sight of an essay-post. A little bit of background. Barcelona’s tourism industry really kicked off in 1992/1993, after Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic Games. In the decade after the Olympics, tourism figures in Barcelona more than doubled. Barcelona 1900 - La perla del mediterráneo.