Residents in the southern Spanish city of Cadiz are becoming increasingly angry about the number of cruise passengers arriving at their port. The city has become a major port of call for cruise ships, with more than 300 docking there last year.

It is estimated that almost 700,000 passengers descended on the city in 2024, a 2% increase in traffic compared to 2023. And experts are predicting another bumper cruise season this year, as demand continues to grow. Already cruise passengers have been arriving in their thousands to sample the delights of the southern city.

Cunard's Queen Victoria ship arrived on May 1, with more than 1,900 passengers on board.

There has been considerable kick back from local residents at the ever growing numbers of cruise ship tourists.

Furious protests erupted last August after more than 13,000 cruise passengers arrived at the port that month.

In one demonstration, the group Cadiz Resistance led a march of 2,000 locals through the bustling port city.

The group claimed that tourists are "stealing our city, our neighbourhoods, and businesses, the very possibility of making a life in Cádiz."

Recent studies have questioned whether cruise ships bring in money for the local economy.

One study carried out by Junta de Andalucía showed that the average expenditure per cruise passenger per day in the region was only around €40 (£34).

Several Spanish ports have started to introduce measure to try and allay fears about over tourism.

Such measures include charging tourist fees, placing limits on how many ships can dock at a time, or even banning them altogether.

Europe’s biggest cruise port Barcelona stopped cruise ships from arriving at its North terminal in the city centre in October 2023.

Majorca also set a limit of just three cruise ships entering its Palma port each day. However the agreement between the Balearic government and cruise companies ended this year.