Our Why

The proposed application is important, as it’s aim is to reduce the impacts of over tourism in Barcelona. The city has experienced many different issues because of over tourism. Overcrowding is common in tourist destinations in Barcelona, one popular attraction is the Gothic Quarter. However overcrowding has created a tension on infrastructure and resources. (Patrichi, 2023).  

Over tourism is the result of an excess of tourism on a destination, resulting in negative consequences for the local community. (Capocchi, 2019.) The rejection of tourism expressed by the locals creates a hostile attitude towards tourists, furthermore, resulting in a negative social, environmental, and economic outcome. (Seraphin, 2019.) Leading tasks such as going to work and living functional lives. (Biendicho, 2022).

Closely correlating is tourism gentrification in Barcelona, which is caused by over tourism, which has resulted in social movements in opposition to tourism. Barcelona is a victim of their tourism demand success. (Bertocchi, 2019.) Locals of Barcelona are having their daily lives distributed because of tourism, causing discussions and protests. In 2017 a protest took place in La Barconeta neighbourhood, a demonstration was conducted by a local activist group ‘Arrah’. During the demonstration they blocked access to tourist buses and displayed banners quoting ‘Tourism kills.’ (Patrichi, 2023.) Furthermore, the city is home to illegal accommodation purely for tourists, and in result making accommodation and amenities to the locals. There is a huge focus on tourism and commercial companies are closing to provide services and goods to the tourists. Local dissatisfaction has been expressed in incidents such as supermarkets shutting. (Genç, 2022.)

 Hence the application will spread awareness with the correct marketing. The product is inspired by the application ‘Feel Florence’ and Google travel applications in the hope that it will decrease over tourism at one time and provide educational insights and recommendations. Feel Florence gives suggestions on how to travel around Florence, with a sustainable element, furthermore it includes an analysis of crowd management through sensors installed around the city, cameras, and statistics. (Almaviva, n.d.) The gap in the market is that this application does not exist within Barcelona. The difference with this application is that it is exclusive to Barcelona and allows accessibility to all. A crowd management and sustainable tourism education combined into an app will create a unique experience for the consumer, aiding their journey in Barcelona. (Hoyer, 2020.) Instead of using multiple applications, all the information needed is in one place.

Closely correlating is tourism gentrification in Barcelona, which is caused by over tourism, which has resulted in social movements in opposition to tourism. Barcelona is a victim of their tourism demand success. (Bertocchi, 2019.) Locals of Barcelona are having their daily lives distributed because of tourism, causing discussions and protests. Furthermore, the city is home to illegal accommodation purely for tourists, and in result making accommodation and amenities to the locals. (Genç, 2022.) Air BnB rentals are contributing towards a lack of residential properties and rent increases. (Garcia-Lopez, 2020.) There is a huge focus on tourism, resulting in  commercial companies closing to provide services and goods to the tourists. Local dissatisfaction has been expressed in incidents such as supermarkets shutting down and being made into a tourist hot spot. Locals have described their home to be a theme park. (Genç, 2022).

Action needs to be taken to decrease the effects of over tourism.

Technology is an important tool which helps assisting sustainability within the tourism sector for the present and the future. Smart sustainable learning is supported by mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. Similarly what Barcelona Bound intends to achieve, to educate individuals on sustainability in Barcelona. SMART can be defined as specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timed. (Visvizi, 2019.) The implementation of IT is used to help achieve sustainability goals. Furthermore, shaping believes about the environment, therefore improving the environment and economic conduct. (Khuntia, 2018).