Governments take measures to stop Europe turning into ground zero for overtourism

Europe, often dubbed the world’s museum for its rich history and culture, has become the epicenter of overtourism concerns due to an unprecedented surge in international visitors in recent years. In 2023 alone, the continent welcomed 747 million international travelers—more than any other region globally. Southern and Western Europe absorbed over 70% of this influx, with countries like France, Spain, Italy, and Greece bearing the brunt.

While tourism fuels economic growth, it is also putting intense pressure on local infrastructure, natural resources, housing, and community character. According to an article published by AP, several factors have contributed to the dramatic rise in tourist numbers.

The affordability of air travel, amplified by budget airlines, has made Europe easily accessible. Social media plays a significant role, driving demand to picturesque destinations popularized on platforms like Instagram. Additionally, artificial intelligence has simplified travel planning, while a relatively strong economic outlook in wealthier nations like the US, UK, Japan, and China continues to fuel outbound tourism despite global tensions. Tourists from these nations often flock to iconic destinations such as Venice and Barcelona, leading to seasonal overcrowding, surging demand for water and housing, and general wear on public spaces.

However, not everyone agrees that the issue is unmanageable. Italy’s Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè argues that with the right infrastructure—such as AI tools for advance booking and crowd flow management—tourism can remain an opportunity rather than a threat. She emphasized in an interview to the publication that most tourist activity in Italy is concentrated within a small geographic portion of the country and believes better organization is the key.

France, Europe’s top tourist destination, welcomed 100 million international visitors when it hosted the Summer Olympics in 2023, while Spain saw nearly 94 million—almost double its population. These numbers have triggered growing unrest. In Spain, especially in the Canary and Balearic Islands, locals are protesting the effects of mass tourism. With less than 5 million permanent residents, these islands collectively hosted over 30 million tourists last year. In Barcelona, residents have staged demonstrations where protestors use water guns on unsuspecting visitors and carry slogans like “One more tourist, one less resident.”

The backlash stems largely from the housing crisis fueled by the surge in short-term rentals. Platforms like Airbnb have made it lucrative for property owners to convert long-term homes into tourist lodgings, thereby driving up rental prices for locals. In response, Spain’s government recently ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 listings that violated local housing regulations. Additionally, Barcelona announced a bold plan to eliminate all 10,000 short-term rental licenses in the city by 2028, aiming to preserve housing for permanent residents.

Greece has faced similar challenges. In 2023, the country hosted nearly four times its population in tourists, creating acute shortages of water, energy, and housing, particularly on hotspots like Santorini and Mykonos. In response, the Greek government has implemented measures such as staggered visiting hours at the Acropolis and new cruise ship taxes starting July 1—€20 for high-traffic islands and €5 for less-visited ones. Desalination plants and water deliveries from the mainland have been used to address severe water shortages.

Governments across Europe are now experimenting with a range of regulatory measures to combat overtourism. These include limiting overnight stays, imposing tourist taxes, encouraging travel to lesser-known destinations, and enforcing stricter housing policies. Despite public frustration, officials emphasize the need for sustainable tourism practices rather than rejecting visitors outright. 

By Nazrin Sadigova