‘Visit just looking (inside) €5 x person, thank you.’ That’s what the sign says at the entrance of Queviures Múrria, a historic deli in Barcelona that has been in business for over 100 years. Yes, you read that right: the owners have had enough of tourists overcrowding the deli for a picture without making any purchases.
As ridiculous as it may sound to some, the deli hasn’t actually charged anyone (yet). According to the deli manager, Toni Merion, the intention here isn’t to actually charge curious onlookers but to prevent peering tourists from disrupting the deli’s work and business.
Merion explains that the sign was initially put up as a joke, but has turned out to be quite effective in boosting sales. Now, when visitors come in to take a photo, they often end up purchasing a few items from the store. Besides paying for goods, many of the visitors also display better manners – something the owners felt wasn’t happening as camera-toting tourists crowded their store.
This centennial business began as a small shop and is now a popular attraction in the city for its nostalgic 1920s adverts and modernista charm. But as Barcelona becomes more and more crowded with tourists, small businesses throughout the city have had to adapt. It looks like Queviures Múrria has found an ingenious way to handle that.
Overtourism is becoming an increasing problem in Barcelona, and this isn’t the first time the city has taken measures against not-so-great tourist behaviour. Last year, Barcelona banned smoking on all of the city’s beaches, introducing a €30 fine for anyone caught doing so. It’s all a balancing act as the city tries to juggle growing tourist numbers with keeping the city clean and liveable.
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