Southern Europe is witnessing rising tensions over tourism due to overcrowding, water shortages, and increased living costs. Locals in cities such as Barcelona and Rome are protesting against the return of tourists after the pandemic respite. Many local governments struggle to balance the economic benefits of tourism with environmental and social impacts, leading to ongoing public demonstrations and calls for sustainable tourism practices.
Southern Europe is experiencing a backlash against tourism, primarily due to water scarcity, rising housing costs, and overcrowding. Cities like Rome, Barcelona, and Athens see increased frustration from locals as tourist numbers rebound following the pandemic. Activists have organized protests in various locations, often creatively urging visitors to respect the resources and communities they invade.
Protesters contend that the surge in tourism exacerbates issues like gentrification, housing shortages, and overuse of water supplies in areas already facing droughts. For instance, Barcelona has reported that tourists consume far more water than local residents. Regions such as Sicily are now turning away tourists to preserve their dwindling water resources.
Despite these complaints, many governments hesitate to impose stricter regulations due to tourism’s economic significance. Southern European economies heavily depend on tourism — contributing approximately 11.3% to Croatia’s GDP, and 6-8% to Portugal, Greece, Spain, and Italy. After two years of minimal tourist activity due to COVID-19, many areas have witnessed a surge of travelers seeking delayed vacations.
Economically, Spain, Portugal, and Greece have shown resilience, surpassing the EU’s overall growth rate in 2023. The fervor of ‘revenge tourism’ has been palpable, as tourists flock to popular destinations, rekindling previous tensions observed prior to the pandemic. Experts highlight the need to balance tourism’s economic benefits against its environmental and social costs.
In Palma de Mallorca, around 20,000 anti-tourism activists recently protested, underlining the strain of hosting 14.4 million tourists in a region with only 1.2 million residents. In Barcelona, similar actions unfolded with activists playfully squiring tourists with water guns, prompting the tourism minister to emphasize Spain’s hospitable culture despite emerging grievances.
Various regions, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece, have reported similar protests against the negative impacts of tourism. Local communities express their frustrations through graffiti and campaigns aimed at encouraging visitors to respect and adhere to local customs and laws. These sentiments reflect the growing unease over the tourism model.
Cities are employing multiple strategies to combat over-tourism, such as fines and regulations. Notable measures include banning selfies in Portofino, restricting access to historical sites in Rome, and imposing entry fees in Venice. However, these initiatives often provoke further discontent among residents.
In response to the challenges presented by over-tourism, Barcelona’s mayor proposed halting short-term rentals to tourists by 2028, addressing the housing crisis. Other areas, including the Canary Islands and urban centers such as Lisbon and Berlin, are implementing similar policies to manage tourism sustainably.
Experts suggest that successful tourism management requires a blend of economic, social, and environmental considerations. For tourism to be sustainable, it must address the destination’s capacity in conjunction with resident needs. Cities like Amsterdam have adopted productive measures, banning certain behaviors and constructing no new hotels, to manage visitor impact effectively.
Conversely, cities such as Copenhagen are embracing a more welcoming approach, incentivizing tourists to practice eco-friendly habits. Efforts include rewarding those who opt for sustainable transportation or community-cleanup initiatives. This multifaceted strategy emphasizes the importance of data, governance, and resident engagement to create a balanced tourism model.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
