Barcelona locals are concerned about tourism

A poll recently showed that tourism has become Barcelona locals main concern. Photo: AFP

Tourism has become the main issue of concern for Barcelona's residents ahead of unemployment, according to a survey published by the city hall of the popular seaside resort. Rising rental prices, noise and crowds jostling for space in the streets, the disappearance of traditional, every-day stores have all become irritants for those who still live in the central districts of the Mediterranean city, which gets millions of visitors every year.

According to the survey, tourism in this 1.6-million-strong city was considered a problem by 19% of the 800 people polled, overtaking unemployment and working conditions, which came in at 12.4% and had since 2009 always been the top concern.