An individual visiting a popular holiday destination in Britain faced a barrage of threatening messages and insults from local residents in Spain after expressing admiration for the city and its beach.
Kyzo, a programmer hailing from Poland, arrived in the coastal city of Valencia towards the end of November before a marathon scheduled for December 7. Having recently traveled in San Francisco, California, he shared a video of the beach upon arrival and commented on the positive impact of the sun, sand, and sea on his mood. He also noted the significantly lower prices compared to San Francisco.
However, following his tweet, Kyzo was bombarded with numerous abusive messages and even death threats from angered locals, demanding his immediate departure from the country and accusing him of harming the local economy.
One particularly menacing message, believed to be from a local resident, suggested a violent act against Kyzo, stating, “Let’s hope someone recognizes him on the street and takes action against him.”
Another individual directly threatened Kyzo, chillingly mentioning, “We also enjoy harming people, particularly foreigners.”
Initially disregarding the messages, Kyzo eventually grew concerned about the escalating threats and became more vigilant about his surroundings. Defending his initial post, he clarified to the Daily Mirror that his comparison of prices was factual and not intended as a complaint or criticism of Spain.
Tensions between tourists and local residents in Spain have heightened in recent years, with holidaymakers and digital nomads, often referred to as “guiris”, being blamed for driving up rental costs and displacing locals in popular areas.
When asked if the locals’ reactions were excessive, Kyzo acknowledged the frustration stemming from real issues such as housing, wages, and tourism pressures. He emphasized that targeting individuals online does not address the underlying structural problems and only serves to polarize and hinder productive discussions.
The strain between tourists and locals is not limited to online interactions, as anti-tourism graffiti can be found in various parts of Valencia, including a message advocating dangerous balcony jumping as an act against tourists.
Instances of tourists being injured while attempting balcony jumps have been reported, with clashes between protesters and tourists illustrating the underlying tensions in the city.
The local tourist board was contacted for a response regarding the situation.
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