Barcelona’s famous La
Boqueria market is preventing visitor groups of more than 15 people from
visiting the market during busy times. It is claimed that they disrupt the
normal shopping habits of local genuine customers.
The locals complain
about the dawdling and photo taking of tourists and in a crowded market that
can become a problem. Barcelona is reportedly the 10th most visited
city in the world. La Boqueria is
essentially a food market and we have heard some of our own food traders declare
that tourist business is not their target. They would rather concentrate on
local families doing their weekly shopping than tourists looking to buy a few
snacks to take back to a hotel room.
Of course the top end,
or Specialty Merchandise area, of QVM relies very heavily on tourists. While La
Boqueria is trying to restrict tourist groups the top end of QVM sees tourists
as its main target. Too many tourists is certainly a problem that Specialty
Merchandise Traders would love to contend with.
