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Tourismophobia or right of admission?
Let's see what you think... On April 21st, during the celebration of Sant Jordi, the Calders Bookstore in Barcelona was involved in an incident that has generated a wide debate in (X) about tourism and the preservation of local cultural spaces.
📚 A tour that was not welcome
The members of the Calders Bookstore, located in the Pere Calders passage, were quietly working on this special day of Saint George, also Book Day she was surprised by the arrival of a group of approximately 30 tourists who entered the establishment as part of a guided tour.
According to the worker herself, one of the bookstore managers, He approached the group to ask if they were part of a tour., to which they responded affirmatively. The conversation went like this:
Well, we just kicked out 30 foreigners: photos, photos, photos, oh, beautiful…
– Is this a tour?
- Yeah.
– This isn’t a tourist site.
– Yes, but it’s Sant Jordi.
– Well, less.
…and two customers who were quietly looking at books thanked us.
When informed that the bookstore was not a tourist spot, the visitors argued that, Due to the Sant Jordi festival, they considered the place of interestHowever, this explanation was not enough for Isabel, who decided to ask them to leave the premises.
The message "We just kicked out 30 foreigners." It quickly went viral, accumulating more than 33,000 views, more than 1,000 likes and dozens of responses, generating a wave of reactions both for and against the decision taken by the establishment.
🗣️ Divided Reactions
The post on X provoked a variety of comments. Some users They applauded the bookstore's action, thanking them for prioritizing the tranquility of the space and the experience of regular customers.
Many others even suggested that tour groups should enter in small numbers and make some purchases. support local business, as they can serve as a boost to book sales.
On the other hand, there were those who criticized the attitude of the bookstore, accusing it of elitism and treating visitors in a contemptuous manner, which they now call "tourismophobia". This contrast of opinions reflects the growing tension between the preservation of local identity and the impact of mass tourism in cities like Barcelona.
🏘️ A Growing Trend
There are solutions for both sides, such as the well-known one Livraria Lello, in Porto, one of the most famous and beautiful bookstores in the world, which charges an admission fee to see it, which is then deducted from the final price of the books if you decide to buy them.
And there are precedents in Spain as well. In 2023, the Queviures Múrria store implemented a similar measure by posting a sign that read: «Visit just looking (inside), €5 per person, thank you», charging tourists who just wanted to look without making purchases.
Although initially a joke, the initiative proved effective, leading visitors to also purchase products.
These actions reflect a growing trend among local businesses in Barcelona seeking protect their spaces from excessive tourism and preserve the authenticity of its establishments for the local community.
🤔 There has to be a balance
If you ask me, I have a really clear, if vague, answer.
Clara because kicking out a group of 30 potential buyers seems like a terrible idea to me, not because of tourismophobia but because At the business level, I think it's like shooting yourself in the foot.…That a bookstore can afford to lose customers these days seems absolutely incredible to me.
But I maintain that the tour organizers didn't do it right either. To enter with an organized group, I think it would be a good idea to notify the store managers beforehand.
And you? What do you think?