Possible Summer Unrest: Anticipation of 'Tourist Departure' Demonstrations Amongst U.S. Travelers
In popular southern European cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Milan, Venice, and Palma de Mallorca, a growing movement is taking shape against the negative impacts of excessive tourism on local communities. The protests, which have gained momentum in recent years, are centred around issues such as displacement of local residents, rising cost of living, loss of community, negative economic impacts on small businesses, and general environmental and social strain.
One of the most pressing concerns is the displacement of local residents. Rising numbers of tourists have driven locals out of affordable housing as properties are converted into short-term rentals catering to visitors. This trend has contributed to a housing shortage and increased rental prices, making it difficult for residents to afford basic necessities.
The surge in tourism-related demand is also contributing to higher living expenses, making it difficult for locals to afford basic necessities. City centres are increasingly seen as inaccessible or unusable for residents due to overcrowding by tourists. Large travel corporations and short-term rental platforms like Airbnb have pushed out smaller, local businesses, further exacerbating economic hardship for residents.
Protesters have used creative methods such as water pistols, smoke, and staged evictions to dramatize their message. Slogans like "mass tourism kills the city" and "Your holidays, my misery" highlight the direct conflict between tourism growth and local quality of life. The movement also includes actions like museum employee strikes and public demonstrations to demand change.
Authorities in various countries are responding by regulating short-term rentals and raising fees in tourist hotspots in an attempt to mitigate these impacts. For instance, in Barcelona, a new cruise port has been constructed, with 800 ships arriving each year. However, tourists who come ashore when the ship docks in the morning, tour the town, and sail off in the afternoon, make Barcelona's pedestrian areas congested.
Destinations that fail to protect tourists from crime and harassment risk losing visitors. International travel to Los Angeles is down 13.5%, and Canadian visitation is down 70% due to crime and homelessness issues. Meanwhile, Hawaii's ambivalent attitude towards tourists and onerous restrictions during COVID have discouraged visitation.
The European tourist season is currently in full swing, despite summer just starting. However, the long-awaited wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez in Venice caused a stir, as good yacht parking and hotel rooms were scarce. Tourists might find being attacked with water guns displeasing, a move that has been met with controversy in Barcelona.
Tourism in Barcelona provides 14% of the city's economy and 150,000 jobs. Yet, another source of anger is the impact of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb on rental prices in tourist cities. In a 2024 survey, Spaniards showed the most unfavourable attitude towards tourists, and 54% of Spanish respondents supported introducing a tourist tax fee to enter popular cities.
The New York Times has made a joke about the use of water guns in Barcelona protests, but the underlying issue is far from a laughing matter. Yogi Berra once said, "It's so crowded no one goes there anymore," a quote that serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by cities overwhelmed by mass tourism.
- Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's extravagant wedding in Venice, despite causing shortages in good yacht parking and hotel rooms, highlights the strain that excessive tourism can put on local communities, as seen in their choice of destination.
- The growing anti-tourism movement in cities like Barcelona and Venice calls attention to the escalating cost of living for local residents due to growing tourism, a concern shared by residents of other popular tourist destinations.
