During one of our lectures on tourism the term “sacrificial site” was brought up. We were discussing how countries have landmarks that they choose to showcase in order to bring more people to visit, but as a result these sites no longer belong to the people of that country but belong to the tourist.
Barcelona is a prime example, especially since it has multiple sacrificial sites. Park Güell, Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas, all these places are flooded with tourist making it difficult for locals to enjoy it.
Although Barcelona thrives from tourism, tourism has also been the reason why locals are choosing to leave the city. Venice, Italy is perfect example of a sacrificial site, more accurately, a sacrificial city. Tourist have taken over this city leaving behind almost no locals. Will Barcelona soon become like Venice neglecting the locals pushing away what holds the culture in the city?
