European cities battle over-tourism

Across Europe, tourist hotspots are grappling with the challenges of over-tourism as they struggle to balance economic benefits with quality of life for residents.

Rome, Barcelona, and Athens are growing increasingly frustrated with the influx of holidaymakers, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

After a temporary reprieve during the Covid-19 pandemic, locals and activists in these popular destinations are once again facing challenges with overtourism. In response, they've taken to the streets with creative protests, including water guns and stickers urging unruly tourists to go home. The surge in tourism is not just a minor inconvenience; it has tangible impacts.

Over-tourism drives up housing costs, accelerates gentrification, and exacerbates the strain on essential resources like water. In drought-affected areas like Barcelona and Sicily, the high water consumption of tourists has become a significant concern, with some cities even considering turning away visitors to conserve resources. Despite these issues, many governments are reluctant to impose strict measures against tourism.

For countries in southern Europe, such as Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Italy, tourism is a crucial economic driver. According to Allianz, tourism accounts for 11.3 per cent of Croatia's GDP and between 6 and 8 per cent for the other Mediterranean nations. The post-pandemic "revenge tourism" boom has contributed to these countries outperforming the broader EU economy in 2023, with their GDP growth rates surpassing 2 per cent, compared to the EU's 0.5 per cent.

“What we are seeing in the media now mirrors what began even before the pandemic,” Sandra Carvão, director of market intelligence, policies, and competitiveness at the United Nations' tourism agency, told POLITICO. “There was already a growing movement and protests against tourism in various destinations, and we're witnessing their resurgence.” 

Rising temperatures and escalating frustrations are fueling this renewed discontent. In late July, around 20,000 anti-tourism activists converged in Palma de Mallorca, calling for a transformation of the tourism model they believe is damaging the Balearic Islands. With tourist numbers reaching 14.4 million in 2023—far exceeding the islands' permanent population of approximately 1.2 million—the strain is palpable. 

In Barcelona, a smaller-scale protest saw activists using water pistols to target foreign visitors, a move condemned by Spain’s tourism minister as contrary to the nation’s hospitality ethos. Across Spain, including in Madrid, Malaga, Granada, and Alicante, stickers and graffiti referring to tourists as “guiris” (a mildly derogatory term for visitors who flout local norms) have become increasingly common. Similar anti-tourism sentiments have emerged in tourist hotspots across Portugal, Italy, and Greece, reflecting a broader dissatisfaction with the impacts of tourism.

Cities are grappling with this issue through fines, fees, and bans, but the effectiveness of these measures remains inconsistent. To curb the impact of over-tourism, several cities have introduced a variety of measures. In Portofino, Italy, tourists are banned from taking selfies in certain areas, while Rome prohibits sitting on the Spanish Steps. 

Dubrovnik in Croatia and Santorini in Greece have banned large cruise ships, and Cinque Terre has imposed a no-flip-flops rule. Venice has attempted to tackle the issue with a symbolic 5 euro entry fee aimed at regulating tourist numbers.

However, this move has backfired, leading to protests from locals who argue that the city is being turned into a theme park. In a bid to address housing shortages, Barcelona's mayor announced in June that the city will ban short-term apartment rentals to tourists by 2028. This follows similar actions in the Canary Islands, Berlin, and Lisbon over the past decade. 

Sandra Carvão from the United Nations' tourism agency emphasizes that a successful tourism strategy must balance economic, social, and environmental impacts, while considering the destination’s demand and carrying capacity. Amsterdam offers a positive example of managing tourism effectively.

The city has banned smoking weed in the red light district, launched a campaign to discourage rowdy British partygoers, and recently announced a ban on new hotel construction. Conversely, Copenhagen has embraced a more open approach, rewarding eco-friendly tourist behaviors such as cycling, using public transport, or cleaning up litter. Rewards range from complimentary coffee to free museum entries, reflecting a commitment to sustainable tourism. 

“The strategy must integrate three key elements,” Carvão explained. “First, you need comprehensive data on tourist movements. Second, effective governance involves actively listening to and addressing residents’ concerns. Third, it requires a blend of various policies tailored to the specific needs of each destination.”