Artwork has appeared in the popular Spanish city of Seville demanding “guiris to “get out of our neighbourhoods”.
Guiri is a word used to describe tourists or expats in the country, typically of British or northern European descent – and can be pejorative depending on the context.
It comes as new graffiti has emerged in the popular winter destination in the southern region of Andalusia.
“We must vomit out tourists”, reads one message reported by the Olive Press, while another says: “Tourist apartments out!”
Meanwhile, a new “mural” created by AI artist @ranchorocket on Instagram reads: “Guiris out of our neighbourhoods.”
Another image shared by the artist shows a tourist with a wheelie suitcase being kicked by a local, next to the words: “Guiris out of our neighbourhoods.”
The images have won praise from some locals online, with many responding with heart and clapping emojis.
One wrote: “This is great, enough of selling the neighborhood to outsiders!”
“I wish we had a mural like this on every island,” another said.
Others, however, were quick to defend the tourism industry.
“We need to find an efficient solution for both sides, the Canary Islands without tourism would lose 60% of employment and the economy would fall,” one user wrote.
Another agreed, writing: “Don’t blame tourism because thanks to them the islands are well,” to which a furious local replied: “Shut up foreigner and coloniser, it’s because of people like you the islands are as they are.”
Another suggested locals were also to blame for opting to put their spare homes on Airbnb instead of renting long term: “Let’s not forget the detail that those responsible for this are mostly people from here, who drool over high incomes.
“It’s time to put the spotlight on those greedy neighbours.”
Locals across the country have expressed concerns about overcrowding, rising house prices and environmental damage due to mass tourism. There have been several protests in tourism hotspots over the past year, such as the Canary and Balearic Islands, Malaga and Seville.
The lack of affordable housing is a particular gripe among young people, who are being forced to move further away from city centres, including Malaga.
The closing down of businesses, bars and restaurants, the locals argue, is stripping the city of its identity and “soul” and leaves the city centre practically empty during the off season.
