Across Europe, once-beloved holiday spots are turning unwelcoming as local communities voice their frustrations over the adverse impacts of mass tourism. With anti-tourism protests erupting from Majorca to Amsterdam, some iconic destinations are actively urging visitors to think twice before booking their summer holidays.
One of the epicenters of this growing dissent is Majorca, Spain, where recent protests have brought public sentiment to the fore. This past May, over 100,000 residents marched through the streets of Palma to protest the adverse effects of tourism on affordable housing. The demonstrators took to the streets again the following month, occupying popular beaches and urging holidaymakers to stay away from certain areas. Local voices resonate with frustration, echoing the sentiment captured on local graffiti stating, "Your paradise, our hell."
Barcelona, another familiar name among tourists, has also been embroiled in unrest. The picturesque city, known for its vibrant culture and history, has seen anti-tourism sentiments swell. Since 2017, incidents of hostility toward tourists, such as attacks on tour buses, have become alarming. Meanwhile, rising rents and tourist-centric disruptions have prompted the local government to impose stringent regulations on short-term rentals. Barcelona's Mayor, Jaume Collboni, has even pitched ambitious plans to eliminate all tourist apartments by 2029, showcasing the city's commitment to addressing locals' housing concerns. Notably, past demonstrations have seen protestors squirting water at tourists, marking the city as one of the least welcoming holiday spots.
While Barcelona grapples with its own challenges, Amsterdam has taken to the internet with the explicit 'Stay Away' campaign. Launched last March, this initiative is aimed at discouraging rowdy tourists — especially those seeking nightlife adventures. Campaign advertisements illustrated the consequences of misbehavior, sending vivid messages about the city's altering attitude. Further underscoring its commitment to reducing disruptive tourism, Amsterdam is also set to ban cruise ships from docking by 2035, reflecting the city's discontent with mass tourism.
Similarly, Venice has made headlines due to its introduction of tourist taxes. Starting April 2024, day-trippers will face a €5 fee to explore the city's enchanting canals. Protests against the tax on its first day lit up social media, with banners proclaiming messages like "Welcome to Veniceland" and opposing the newly implemented fees. Past debates have withstood the test of time, with city regulations even banning cruise ships from docking in central areas to safeguard local serenity.
Further south, the Croatian city of Split has responded to antisocial behavior related to tourism. Following last summer's tourist surge, authorities placed signs warning visitors against various acts, ranging from urination to climbing on monuments. Failure to comply could result in fines reaching €300. To enforce local decorum, private security pattrolled the streets during nighttime hours. Dubrovnik, like Split, has been working diligently to control the number of cruise ship arrivals to ease pressure on the city's resources.
The Canary Islands, particularly Tenerife, have also experienced surging anti-tourist sentiment, highlighted by graffiti lining streets, declaring "Tourists go home." An April rally brought thousands together with the slogan, "The Canary Islands have a limit," emphasizing concerns over resource scarcity, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation related to tourism. Residents assert their desire for sustainable tourism but are visibly strained by the current conditions impacting their everyday lives.
Across the Aegean Sea lies the revered island of Santorini, now struggling under the weight of its annual influx of over two million tourists against its permanent population of merely 15,000. The pressure on housing supply becomes palpable, leading local voices to call for more stringent regulations to control the number of cruise ships allowed to dock. Despite regulations introduced last year quelling some of the tide, tensions continue to simmer as residents deal with daily inconveniences linked to visitor influx.
Another picturesque setting, Capri, grapples with similar conflicts as the island welcomes daily visitor counts peaking at 16,000—overshadowing its humble population of 12,900. The introduction of reopening fees has exacerbated local resentment toward tourist traffic, particularly amid rising concerns over the encroaching popularity of short-term rentals like Airbnb.
Even the less trodden path of Provence is not untouched by the wave of anti-tourism reactions. Though more discreet than other regions, local authorities are strategizing to manage visitor flow to safeguard delicate ecosystems and preserve local livelihoods. For example, daily visitor numbers at Sugiton coves have been capped at 400 to combat overcrowding.
Meanwhile, Corfu, Greece, presents its unique situation—a destination welcoming significant tourism without the harsh sentiments shown by its counterparts. With over 1.5 million tourists arriving via air each summer, mixed sentiments result from developments like the controversial Erimitis project, signifying locals' desire to maintain their cultural integrity.
Within this turbulent atmosphere, the local populations are rallying to reclaim their neighborhoods and heritage from the grasp of mass tourism. While much attention is often paid to the experience of travelers, these communities are reminding the world of their limits and the need for sustainable travel practices. The future of tourism lies not merely within its popularity but can truly thrive where both visitors and locals share contentment and respect, turning the tide toward more balanced coexistence.