Summer is coming, the main expression of the tourist destination, and again the problems arising from the overexploitation of the city as a tourist destination are especially visible, such as noise or the massification of the streets. However, we are more concerned about the structural effects of the urban model based on tourism, such as property speculation, precarious employment, environmental destruction or the weakening of Community connections. In short, the consequences of the sale of the city to market forces. With the current model, we can say that the lives of Donostia’s neighbours are in danger.

Several cities around the world are carrying out mobilizations to denounce that tourist exploitation has borders, to claim that cities are places to live and not just speculative products. We could define the limit as a no-return point to which something can be reached. Climate change has shown us that the lack of knowledge of natural borders can have devastating effects. In addition, uncontrolled tourism can erode the city and everything in it, causing irreversible damage. That is what is happening in San Sebastian, with the impetus of public institutions, the media and lobbies that work for a privileged minority that is enriched by the situation.

In view of this, at BiziLagunEkin we believe it is time to deal with the problems of turistification before it is too late. This summer we will address three axes through debate, reflection and action: the consequences of tourist attraction on young people, the right to housing and working conditions. We understand turistification as a phenomenon that runs through our lives and our community at all levels, and we face it by working in all areas.

The residential emergency in Donostia-San Sebastián is directly related to uncontrolled turistification. The proliferation of tourist apartments has led us to a huge increase in the price of rentals, which has led residents to move around and drive them out and to turn what should be a fundamental right into an unattainable luxury. We need measures that will lead us to a scenario without a tourist rental in order to facilitate access to housing. It is essential that public institutions take measures to curb property speculation and guarantee the right to housing.

Many jobs linked to tourist activity are temporary, badly paid, with irregular hours, overload of work and no job security. This model is unsustainable and perpetuates inequality. We are committed to diversifying the economy of the city, paralyzing tourism monoculture and facilitating quality jobs in other sectors that offer stability, dignity and minimum conditions for a project of life in the city. This will improve workers’ lives and contribute to a more resilient economy, less dependent on an industry so vulnerable to the climate and energy crisis.

Precarious working conditions directly affect young people, especially those affected by tourist activity. They are expelled from San Sebastian because of the high price of housing and the lack of decent work opportunities, destroying the communities of our neighborhoods and mortgaging the future of the city.

The solution to these problems can only come down the road of tourist decline. We need to address a planned economic and social transition that redefines our city model and makes it more livable, sustainable and equitable. We cannot continue to opt for tourism as the main economic engine. There is an urgent need to diversify the economy, to protect the environment, to guarantee the rights of all people and to strengthen Community networks. For this reason, we encourage the Donostiarras to organize groups, associations and platforms that we fight from neighborhood to neighborhood and sector to sector, in order to deal with the turistification without borders. And we appeal to participate in the calls we are going to make in the coming weeks to show that we are at risk with the turistification and to make the opinion of the majority of the citizens of Donostia heard.

Nerea Arrangi Topas

Donostiarras Platform for Tourism Growth with Neighbors