Overtourism, as outlined by Sustainable Journey Worldwide, happens when too many guests flock to a vacation spot, exceeding its means to handle it sustainably and resulting in destructive impacts reminiscent of overcrowding, environmental degradation, strained infrastructure, diminished high quality of life for residents, and a diminished customer expertise. Spain is among the many most impacted on the continent and cracked down on Airbnb and vacation leases final 12 months. On the identical time, locals in Barcelona took it upon themselves to soak guests with water weapons whereas chanting, “vacationers go residence”. Based on Fodor’s Journey, the Spanish metropolis is joined by Majorca, the Canary Islands, Venice, and Lisbon of their listing of locations in Europe which might be “the place locals don’t need you.”
Barcelona
Fodor’s Journey group reported: “Barcelona at present has over 10,000 licensed trip leases on platforms like Airbnb, and the typical residence now rents for 68% greater than a decade in the past.”
Whereas the native authorities there has pledged to take away all short-term rental licenses by 2028 and take a stand towards unlawful vacationer residences all through town, locals, together with a Barcelona activist group Meeting of Neighborhoods for Tourism Degrowth member, say it’s too little too late.
On Reddit, native residents have shared their ideas on town’s tourism downside. One particular person stated, “Barcelona has change into an amusement park made for vacationers. Every part’s overpriced. While you go to class or work, you must keep away from distracted vacationers who randomly cease to take an image at any time of the day, week, or 12 months.”
One other particular person added: “Locals have been pushed out of their very own cities by vacationers. Native companies shut down as a result of vacationer companies are extra worthwhile.”
Barcelona’s historic Gothic Quarter is without doubt one of the worst affected areas, as many vacationer residences and points of interest are situated there.
Majorca
The gorgeous Spanish vacation spot has been standard amongst Europe’s inhabitants for many years and is a repeat offender on Fordor’s “No Listing.” Beforehand listed in 2019, it’s nonetheless widespread to seek out flights from UK airports for lower than £50 return and really inexpensive package deal holidays, reviews Accountable Journey.
Nevertheless, its rising customer numbers imply a few of its hottest seashores and cities have change into “terribly overcrowded,” in keeping with Tripadvisor critiques. One particular person remarked: “Cala Deia is so overcrowded, police stand on the prime of the highway to manage visitors, not my concept of a quiet vacation. Every part is overpriced, and the seashore smells of sewage. People, hold away. This isn’t the most effective worth for cash: stuffed with Instagramming airheads. What a disappointment.”
The Balearic authorities fought towards overtourism by introducing a tourism tax in 2016, which is able to improve in 2025 for June, July, and August. The tax additionally applies to Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Restrictions thought up by the the British embassy and the Balearic authorities additionally exist in some resorts, banning in a single day alcohol gross sales to fight the “tourism of extra”.
Canary Islands
Final summer season, tensions boiled over as protests erupted throughout Europe. Tens of 1000’s of individuals gathered on seashores in Majorca and the Canary Islands, reviews Fodors, holding indicators that learn: “Your luxurious, our distress,” and “The Canaries have a restrict.”
The journey specialists branded it “a jarring change” for vacationers, contemplating years of “aggressive advertising to guests for years” which have include apparent financial benefits. Within the Canary Islands, the tourism business makes up 35% of the GDP and generated €16.9 billion in 2023.
Nevertheless, British vacationers in Tenerife and Gran Canaria have been highlighted by locals who argue that the advantages of tourism are usually not trickling right down to the native inhabitants.
Nestor Marrero Rodríguez, secretary of the Tenerife Affiliation of Pals of Nature, beforehand informed EuroNews: “British vacationers are undoubtedly the worst behaved and present dramatic reactions in particular person and the media when their behaviour and rejection by the native inhabitants is uncovered.”
In the meantime, an area information in Gran Canaria emphasised the necessity for respectful tourism, noting that whereas many British vacationers are respectful, a major quantity come solely for the solar and low-cost alcohol, resulting in disruptive behaviour.
Lisbon
Locals in Lisbon, which lately has seen the variety of abroad arrivals soar, have voiced issues that it’s going to change into the subsequent Venice.
With round 546,000 residents, Portugal’s capital welcomes 30,000 to 40,000 vacationers every day. A journalist and resident of the capital informed the Telegraph in 2018: “In each Lisbon and Porto, the central downtown areas have change into roughly just for vacationers. Lisbon’s Baixa district, for instance, which covers an space of 1.5 sq. kilometres, now has greater than 70 motels, whereas tourist-oriented eating places, memento outlets and massive worldwide manufacturers have displaced native companies.”
Fodor’s journey specialists stated that an estimated 60% of dwellings in Lisbon at the moment are trip lodging, decreasing the stock of long-term rental models and driving up prices. They stated: “Town, which lately ranked because the third least financially viable place to reside globally, has misplaced roughly 30% of its inhabitants since 2013.”
Venice
Famend for its canals, the Italian metropolis is a hub for historical past, artwork, and tradition. Nevertheless, its world fame as a romantic metropolis break vacation spot means it’s continuously busy with guests.
Actually, in keeping with a latest Holidu research, the long-lasting metropolis hosts 21 vacationers for each resident. Venice has attracted consideration with its daytripper tax and a ban on cruise ships getting into its lagoon, however the Italian hotspot stays severely overcrowded—a lot in order that UNESCO has included it on its listing of endangered cities.
Town reportedly plans to double its controversial vacationer tax as mass tourism and overcrowding stay vital issues. The €5 (£4.20) levy was launched in 2024 to crack down on day trippers however has now been upped to €10 (£8.30) for holidaymakers who guide lower than 4 days prematurely.
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Publish date : 2025-03-04 03:07:00
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