For years, Southern Europe’s golden triangle—Spain, Italy and Portugal—has drawn millions of tourists with its beaches, iconic architecture and postcard-perfect towns. But this summer, much like last year, the conversation around overtourism is bubbling over as locals reach their breaking point.
On Sunday, June 15, thousands of residents across these countries took to the streets in a coordinated effort to oppose mass tourism, a phenomenon they say is turning their homes into theme parks and their cities into backdrops for Instagram.
Under the umbrella of the SET alliance—Sud d'Europa contra la Turistització, or Catalan for “Southern Europe Against Overtourism”—protesters joined forces with groups in Portugal and Italy, arguing that uncontrolled tourism was sending housing prices soaring and forcing people out of their neighbourhoods.
Outlook Traveller looks at the overtourism protests taking place in Europe right now and what Indian travellers should consider on their holiday.
On Sunday, protesters in Barcelona, some armed with water guns, took to the city's most popular tourist zones, targeting travellers at cafés and on sidewalks with bursts of water. A similar protest had taken place around the same time last year, when tourists in Barcelona had found themselves on the wet end of a water gun.
The city is already one of the most visited cities in Europe, and has become ground zero for Spain’s anti-tourism sentiment. With a population of 1.6 million, it drew 26 million tourists last year.
Protesters held signs that read “One more tourist, one less resident”, “Your Airbnb was my home” and “Tourist Go Home”.
These slogans weren’t limited to Spain alone. In Palma, the capital of Mallorca, nearly 5,000 people rallied, some chanting “Everywhere you look, all you see are tourists.” On the streets of Granada, Ibiza and San Sebastián, similar sentiments echoed: the soul of these cities, residents said, is being eroded by the pressures of overtourism.
Protests in Italy took place in cities including Genoa, Naples, Palermo, Milan and Venice, where locals oppose the construction of two hotels that will add around 1,500 new beds to the city. A separate protest in Lisbon took place on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in Paris, the Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum, was brought to a halt by its own striking staff on Monday, June 16, who say the institution is crumbling under the weight of mass tourism.
Thousands of stranded and confused visitors, tickets in hand, were corralled into unmoving lines by I M Pei’s glass pyramid.
The Louvre welcomed 8.7 million visitors last year—more than double what its infrastructure was designed to accommodate. Even with a daily cap of 30,000, staff say the experience has become a daily test of endurance, with too few rest areas, limited bathrooms and summer heat magnified by the pyramid’s greenhouse effect.
International travel spending in Europe is expected to rise by 11 per cent to USD 838 billion (approximately INR 72 trillion) this year, with Spain and France among the countries set to receive record numbers of tourists.
Residents of European cities want a rethink of a tourism model that they say has increasingly funnelled profits into the hands of a few, while leaving locals to pay the price through soaring house prices and rents, environmental degradation and the proliferation of precarious, low-paying jobs.
The “Airbnb-ification” of accommodations in cities and towns has not helped matters. In Palma, rising housing costs are directly linked to short-term rentals. Long-term residents are being displaced as landlords choose Airbnb profits over community stability. In Lisbon, too, tourists now outnumber locals in several historic neighbourhoods. Bubble tea stalls and overpriced souvenirs have replaced cafés, bakeries and bookshops.
In Venice, locals protested against the lack of regulations that have allowed the number of short-term rentals to surge and hotels to tighten their grip on the housing market. In Ibiza, the soaring cost of living has left many workers living in vans, caravans or tents.
Governments are beginning to respond. Spain’s national government ordered the removal of 66,000 illegal holiday rentals from platforms like Airbnb. Barcelona has announced plans to eliminate all 10,000 short-term rental licenses by 2028.
Venice started a day-tripper fee for tourists this year. Last year, Outlook Traveller reported that Greek authorities were considering increasing taxes on short-term rentals and banning new licences in three districts of central Athens for at least a year.
If you're planning your European holiday this summer, it is possible to visit popular places in an ethical way. Here's what you should keep in mind:
Travel during the off-season: Visiting popular destinations during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) or even the winter can help spread out the tourist crowds and reduce the strain on local infrastructure. This also often leads to lower prices for flights and accommodations.
Explore alternative destinations: Instead of flocking to the most popular spots, consider visiting lesser-known towns, cities or regions within a country. Research destinations that are actively promoting sustainable tourism and offer unique experiences off the beaten path.
Support local businesses: Eat at local restaurants, shop at independent stores and hire local guides for tours. This helps ensure that tourism revenue stays within the community and supports local livelihoods.
Be mindful of your environmental impact: Reduce your plastic consumption, conserve water and energy, and dispose of waste responsibly. Consider using eco-friendly transportation options like bicycles or public transport.
Choose sustainable accommodations: Look for eco-lodges, guesthouses or hotels that prioritise sustainability and have responsible waste management practices. Opt for accommodations that support the local community and use renewable energy sources.
Respect local cultures and customs: Research the local customs and traditions before you go and observe them while you're there. Dress modestly when visiting religious sites, and be mindful of noise levels, especially in residential areas.
Engage in responsible tourism activities: Support initiatives that promote sustainable tourism and conservation efforts. Consider participating in volunteer tourism or eco-tours that benefit the local community.
Educate yourself: Research the impact of tourism on the destinations you visit and learn about sustainable travel practices.
(With inputs from multiple news reports)
