Isabella Thornton
The riveting Foreign Correspondent Spain’s Toxic Tourism airs on ABC TV and streams on ABC iview in Australia, shining a spotlight on the rising backlash against unchecked tourism in Barcelona and Ibiza. Here’s everything you need to know to stay informed and inspired.
How can I watch Foreign Correspondent: Spain’s Toxic Tourism outside Australia on ABC iView
To watch Foreign Correspondent: Spain’s Toxic Tourism outside Australia, you need access to ABC iview, which is currently restricted to Australian viewers. The easiest way to unlock the platform is by using a reliable VPN that switches your virtual location to Australia. Once connected, you can stream the full documentary seamlessly in high quality, enjoying every scene of this powerful program without any restrictions.
Spain’s Toxic Tourism About
Spain’s Toxic Tourism dives deep into the growing backlash against unchecked tourism in Barcelona and Ibiza. The documentary reveals how holiday rentals and Airbnb have worsened Spain’s housing crisis, pushing locals out of their own homes. Essential workers such as teachers, nurses, and police officers describe how they can no longer afford to live where they work. The film also exposes the environmental impact of yachts damaging Ibiza’s UNESCO-listed sea grass meadows, threatening marine life. While tourism fuels Spain’s economy, employing more than 3 million people, locals argue that the social and environmental costs are too high. Through raw testimonies, it captures both the anger of residents and the indifference of policy makers. Ultimately, the story asks whether Spain is being loved to death by its visitors.
When does Spain’s Toxic Tourism premiere?
Spain’s Toxic Tourism premieres on Foreign Correspondent and is available to stream on ABC TV and ABC iview starting August 19, 2025.
Spain’s Toxic Tourism Cast
- Mazoe Ford – Europe Bureau Chief for ABC, leading the investigation into Spain’s tourism crisis and interviewing locals across Barcelona and Ibiza.
- Alicia Bocuñano – Ibiza taxi driver forced into a caravan due to soaring rents, representing the struggles of service workers priced out of housing.
- Juanjo Bonnin – High school teacher sharing accommodation with colleagues, highlighting how even middle-income workers can’t afford homes.
- Eva Vilaseca – Barcelona mother protesting outside Park Güell, voicing concerns about raising her child amid rising rents and overcrowding.
- Laura San Miguel – Ibiza-born environmental activist, warning about the destruction of sea grass meadows and the island’s fragile ecosystem.
- Aleix Fors Laguna – Barcelona e-bike tour guide, urging tourists to learn local languages and shop locally while criticizing poor government planning.
Why are locals protesting tourism?
Residents are frustrated by overcrowding, rising housing costs, and diminished quality of life. Some essential workers, like taxi drivers and teachers, say they’ve been pushed out of homes because of how extensively Airbnb and tourist rentals dominate the market.
Where to watch Foreign Correspondent: Spain’s Toxic Tourism in Australia?
As of August 19, 2025, Foreign Correspondent: Spain’s Toxic Tourism is airing on ABC TV and streaming exclusively on ABC iview in Australia. The documentary premiered at 8 pm (AEST), delivering a powerful look at the backlash against mass tourism in Barcelona and Ibiza. At present, the program is only available to Australian viewers through official ABC platforms, making it a must-watch for those seeking insightful factual content.
Is Foreign Correspondent: Spain’s Toxic Tourism free to watch?
Yes, Spain’s Toxic Tourism is available completely free on ABC iview. Simply create a free ABC account, log in, and you can start streaming instantly. For viewers outside Australia, access requires a reliable VPN—just connect to an Australian server, sign up, and enjoy the full documentary without restrictions.
How to Sign Up for ABC iview
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Sign up for ABC Account | Visit abc.net.au/signup → fill in details → verify email |
| 2. Log in on ABC iview | Use your ABC Account credentials |
| 3. Create iview profile | Customize for yourself or others |
| 4. Without account | Can livestream but no on-demand access |
FAQs
- What makes Spain’s Toxic Tourism different from other travel documentaries?
Unlike traditional travel shows that highlight attractions, this documentary focuses on the downsides of mass tourism. It uncovers housing shortages, protests, and environmental damage, providing a raw and honest picture of Spain today. - Can I download Foreign Correspondent – Spain’s Toxic Tourism for offline viewing?
No, ABC iview does not support downloading due to licensing restrictions—streaming only. - How long is the episode?
The episode runs for approximately 29 minutes and 18 seconds. - Has Spain taken any policy steps in response to overtourism?
Regional governments have begun imposing limits on short-term rentals, raising tourist taxes, and planning housing projects. For instance, Barcelona plans to eliminate short-term rentals by 2028 to ease housing pressure. - Did officials respond to extreme protest actions?
Yes — when protesters sprayed tourists with water pistols in Barcelona, Spain’s tourism minister condemned the act, calling it unrepresentative of Spanish hospitality and pushed for better regulation of tourist rentals.
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