In the northern part of Aragon, where the Pyrenees stretch out, discontent is growing among local residents. This weekend, dozens of municipalities joined together to protest the current situation. Their main grievances are the lack of affordable housing, excessive tourism development, and controversial energy projects that, according to many, do not take the interests of the local population into account.
Twenty-five years ago, these same mountains saw major demonstrations. Back then, people protested against the construction of reservoirs that flooded entire villages. Today, there are new challenges on the agenda: ski resorts, cable cars, theme parks, and solar power plants. Locals feel their homeland is turning into an entertainment zone for visitors instead of a place to live.
Tourism pressure and the housing crisis
Throughout the summer, activists held meetings in 50 communities to find out what concerns people the most. It turned out that most are worried about homes being converted into tourist apartments and rental prices soaring out of reach. In some towns, it is almost impossible to find accommodation for less than a thousand euros. Even hotel owners are forced to provide rooms for their staff so they can keep working in the area.
Regional authorities are focusing on the development of tourism and the winter sports industry, seeing this as the key to economic growth. However, many locals believe that such projects do not address their pressing problems and only make them worse. As examples, they cite plans to build the largest mountain attraction in Europe in Panticosa, a cable car connecting Benasque and Cerler, and an amusement park near Jaca. Some of these initiatives have already faced resistance: for instance, the amusement park project was rejected after a mass vote by Jaca residents.
Economy and Demographics: A Double-Edged Sword
On the one hand, the development of ski resorts has indeed helped some towns to increase their population and create jobs. For example, the population of Benasque has tripled, while neighboring settlements not linked to the tourism industry are experiencing an exodus. However, this is also leading to growing social tension: permanent residents are facing a shortage of affordable services, and the traditional way of life is changing before their eyes.
Authorities promise that the new projects will bring investment and improve infrastructure, but many fear this will only lead to further price increases and the displacement of local families. As a result, residents are demanding not only the preservation of nature and cultural heritage, but also real measures to provide affordable housing, decent jobs, and basic services.
Protests and the Region’s Future
The ‘For Dignified Mountains’ campaign has become a symbol of the struggle for the right to live in their native lands, rather than being displaced by the tourism boom and large-scale investment projects. Despite promises from authorities to develop not only tourism but also agriculture, education, and healthcare, many residents of the Pyrenees feel their voices still go unheard. Protests in the region highlight that finding a balance between economic development and local interests remains an unresolved issue.
