Barcelona is booming. A little too booming for many of its inhabitants and city officials who have taken measures to clamp down on a surge of tourism that is overwhelming its streets and public services. <br /><br /> The Catalonia capital has long been a top destination in Europe, but its popularity exploded a few years ago with the advent of internet tourism platforms such as Airbnb. It has resulted in a huge increase in cheap accommodation, with private properties being transformed into tourist apartments, many illegal and unregulated. In some parts of the city they now vastly outnumber hotel rooms. <br /><br /> Booze and bad behaviour<br /><br /> It’s estimated that some 7.5 million visitors will stay at least one night in the city this year – over four times the population of Barcelona. Making matters worse, young revellers are flocking to the Spanish resort in ever-increasing numbers and their drunkenness and bad behaviour is horrifying local residents of the popular neighbourhoods where they stay. <br /><br /> Whil
