1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses the growing tensions between local residents and tourists in European cities, particularly in Spain, due to the issue of overtourism. It describes how some locals have resorted to aggressive protests, such as spraying tourists with water guns, to express their frustration with the influx of visitors and the impact on their daily lives.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 관광객 | gwangwanggwak | tourist | The locals sprayed water guns at the tourists, telling them to “please go home.” |
| 물총 | mulchong | water gun | The protesters used water guns to spray the tourists. |
| 시위 | siwi | protest | The protesters held a performance-style protest, dragging their luggage and causing noise. |
| 과잉 | gwaling | excessive, over- | The issue is that the increasing number of tourists is inversely proportional to the quality of life experienced by the residents. |
| 반관광 | bangwangwang | anti-tourism | After the water gun protest last summer, the anti-tourism sentiment in Barcelona has once again intensified. |
| 정서 | jeongseo | sentiment | After the water gun protest last summer, the anti-tourism sentiment in Barcelona has once again intensified. |
| 고조 | gojo | to intensify, to escalate | After the water gun protest last summer, the anti-tourism sentiment in Barcelona has once again intensified. |
| 호스텔 | hoseutel | hostel | In front of a nearby hostel, there was a physical altercation between the staff and the protesters. |
| 연막탄 | yeonmaktan | smoke grenade | In one corner, smoke grenades were also set off. |
| 오버투어리즘 | obeotueorijeum | overtourism | A protest against overtourism was held on the island of Majorca, Spain. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
관광객들을 향해 물총을 쏘며 “제발 집에 좀 가라”고 외치는 현지인들이 있다. 이들은 관광객들의 행동으로 인한 소음과 혼잡을 해결하기 위해 이러한 극단적인 방법을 선택했다.
There are locals who spray water guns at tourists and tell them to “please go home.” They have resorted to these extreme measures to address the noise and congestion caused by the tourists’ behavior.
특히 스페인 바르셀로나에서는 지난해 여름 물총 시위 이후 반관광 정서가 다시 고조되고 있다. 인근 호스텔 앞에서는 직원들과 시위대 간 몸싸움이 벌어지기도 했고, 연막탄이 터지는 등 갈등이 심각해지고 있다.
In particular, in Barcelona, Spain, the anti-tourism sentiment has once again intensified after the water gun protest last summer. In front of a nearby hostel, there was a physical altercation between the staff and the protesters, and smoke grenades were also set off, indicating the escalating conflict.
이러한 시위는 단순한 감정 표출을 넘어 구조적 문제를 지적하고 있다. 문제의 핵심은 늘어나는 관광객 수와 주민들이 체감하는 삶의 질이 반비례한다는 점이다. 관광객들의 행동으로 인한 소음과 혼잡이 주민들의 삶의 질을 저하시키고 있는 것이다.
These protests go beyond just emotional expression, as they are also pointing to structural problems. The core issue is that the increasing number of tourists is inversely proportional to the quality of life experienced by the residents. The noise and congestion caused by the tourists’ behavior are deteriorating the residents’ quality of life.
이에 따라 유럽 전역에서 오버투어리즘에 반대하는 시위가 이어지고 있다. 스페인 마요르카 섬에서도 지난 15일 오버투어리즘 반대 시위가 열렸다. 이처럼 관광객 증가로 인한 지역 주민들의 불편함이 점점 더 증폭되고 있는 상황이다.
As a result, protests against overtourism are continuing across Europe. On May 15, a protest against overtourism was also held on the Spanish island of Majorca. This shows that the discomfort experienced by local residents due to the increase in tourists is becoming increasingly amplified.
관광객들의 행동이 지역 주민들의 삶의 질을 저하시키면서, 현지인들의 반감이 점점 더 강해지고 있다. 이에 따라 관광객과 주민 간의 갈등이 심각해지고 있는 상황이다.
As the behavior of tourists deteriorates the quality of life of local residents, the local people’s resentment is growing stronger. As a result, the conflict between tourists and residents is becoming increasingly serious.
이러한 상황에서 관광객과 주민 간의 균형을 찾는 것이 중요한 과제로 대두되고 있다. 관광객의 편의와 주민들의 삶의 질이 조화를 이루는 방향으로 나아가야 할 것이다.
In this situation, finding a balance between tourists and residents has emerged as an important task. It is necessary to move in a direction where the convenience of tourists and the quality of life of residents can be harmonized.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What are the locals doing to express their frustration with the influx of tourists?
- Where has the anti-tourism sentiment particularly intensified, and what kind of conflicts have occurred?
- What is the core issue that the protesters are highlighting, according to the article?
- Where else in Europe have protests against overtourism been taking place?
- What is the important task that has emerged in this situation?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The issue of overtourism has become a growing concern in many popular tourist destinations across Europe, particularly in cities like Barcelona, Spain. As the number of visitors has increased, local residents have begun to feel the negative impacts on their daily lives, such as noise, congestion, and a decline in their quality of life. This has led to increased tensions and even aggressive protests by locals, who are seeking to find a balance between the needs of tourists and the needs of the local community.