In recent years we have been talking about sustainable tourism, public institutions and the media used to promoting tourism and celebrating tourism growth. But that tourism you want to drive forward, is it really so sustainable?

If tourism is the passage of time outside the place of residence, the first thing we have to consider is how we move from one place to another. Most aircraft relate to means of transport linked to tourism. Within 100 kilometers of San Sebastian we have five airports, and those who claim to promote sustainable tourism welcome the increase in flights that are the world’s leading emitters of carbon dioxide. In addition, in recent years there has been a proliferation of luxury jets at Hondarribia airport, when the richer should be denied the right to pollute more and too much, when they should be banned. On the other hand, we have cruises. In addition to polluting the air, the sea and its huge garbage production, they provide the most active tourism model. In countries such as Venice, Barcelona, Marseilles or Lisbon, people who fight against them are well aware. But here the advocates of the alleged sustainable tourism try to attract cruises to Pasaia and San Sebastian.

But it's not just mobility. In recent days, the Bizi neighbourhood association has broadcast a video entitled Old Party, Garbage. The occupation of the streets, the decrease of the commercial supply, the proliferation of a cumulative and exploitative hospitality model, etc., are becoming an unsustainable reality. Children, young people, adults and the elderly find obstacles to a normal life in their neighborhood. That is why many people have been expelled in recent years.

The touristic apartments located in Donostia-San Sebastián, in addition to the discomfort they can cause in living with the neighbors in the portals, provoke a direct increase in the price of the homes. New hotels that have opened in recent years, such as the conversion of entire buildings to hotels, have also increased rental prices. Is the tourism model that generates a housing emergency that drives thousands of Donostiarras sustainable? The City Hall of San Sebastian, as it did with the tourist apartments, has installed a new patch with the hotels. Now some areas of Donostia-San Sebastian will not be able to open hotels, but there are exceptions depending on the type of building. In addition, it should be noted that there are many hotels that are still licensed but have not yet opened. Its impact is also to be seen.

The above are examples of the turistification of our city. The variants they create by selling the idea of sustainable tourism to continue growth. In the absence of structural changes, public institutions and industry will follow the path of growth. Donostia has come to a critical time when a change in the city model has to be made. From the platform with the neighbors we have repeatedly claimed that the living conditions of the Donostiarras should focus on the center and place the city in the direction of the tourist decline. Although it now appears to be far away, it is in our hands to raise the awareness of the neighbours and the capacity for change.

In recent years we have made proposals for tourism growth. These include the progressive disappearance of tourist weights. In addition, priority must be given to the weakening of neighborhood life and the need for neighbours to leave Donostia. Solutions such as decentralisation, seasonality or tourism rates are not of use to us. They are excuses for not interrupting tourist travel and keeping open the door to tourism growth, which hides sustainable tourism under a cheat concept. Continuing to grow is not sustainable.

To change the city model, we Donostiarras have a lot to do. In our neighborhood and in our city, different agents are fighting. These are the resistance points of our city to transform everything. These small struggles show that it can be transformed, although we start from resistance, there are alternatives. On the other hand, these same struggles are indispensable levers to work cohesion and neighborhood solidarity.

An important quote to stop the wild tourist and put the city in the direction of the tourism disaster is Sunday 22. Because the demands with the neighbors are heard louder and it is time to see us on the street, do not miss it!

Eihar Egaña, member of the BiziLagunEkin platform