“Overtourism” Protests Spreading Throughout Europe
Rural BC communities seeking to reinvent their formerly resource-based economies, communities that happen to be located in beautiful areas — so-called “high amenity” places — face a unique challenge. In many cases these communities have turned to tourism as a means of revitalizing the local economic scene. The idea is straightforward enough: more tourists means more dollars spent on local goods & services, leading to a stronger local economy. But perhaps we need to be careful what we wish for. The danger of “paving paradise” is real. For example in Europe, every year more people can afford to travel, and every year the desire to travel appears to go up. Residents of crowded cities are increasingly seeking out quieter, more beautiful places on the Continent, often resulting in floods of visitors — a phenomenon labelled “overtourism.” Dissatisfied locals are taking to the streets. Are there lessons for us to learn from the European experience?
Tourists at the popular Hula Hula beach bar on the island of Hvar, Croatia Laura Boushnak, The New York Times
Spain, Italy, Greece and other Southern European countries are facing increasingly massive crowds of visitors, some of them less than well behaved. Tourism provides an undeniable boost for the economies of these countries. For example, Spain earns over 50 billion euros annually through tourism. The industry creates a huge number of jobs and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy even called it, “the motor of the country.” In 2016, tourism accounted for 16% of Spain’s GDP. But while the overall economy prospers, local residents are getting angry about the overtourism difficulties.
Overtourism Protests in Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona
The fact some locals oppose tourism is not new, but the vehemence with which they are now protesting is. In Palma de Mallorca, there are posters on walls stating, “Tourists = terrorists,” and “Tourism kills the city.” Locals fear rising rent prices, overcrowding, and the loss of local supplies, as supermarkets make way for souvenir shops.
In May, 200 people marched dressed as tourists through the Palma de Mallorca streets. They shouted, “paella, paella,” and dragged roller-skates behind them. The organizer of the demonstration was the citizen initiative “The city for the inhabitants, not for the visitors.” Protests were also held in the Andalusian city of Valencia.
Barcelona residents are also fed up with recent developments, as fewer locals and more hotels and tourists flood the city. They have been complaining their streets no longer belong to them, and that the city is being overrun by tourists. In May, there were mass demonstrations against the city’s mayor, Ada Colau. There were clashes with the police, people set fire to garbage containers, smashed shop windows, and threw stones at policemen. But there were also peaceful overtourism protests at the beginning of the year.
Italy, Portugal and Greece No Different
Venice is another prime example of overtourism. This year protests are getting louder, withItalians complaining about rude tourists — tourists dive from bridges to the lagoon, shower in public fountains, walk half-naked in churches, and much more.
A few weeks ago, 2,000 people demonstrated in Venice against the “sale of the city.” Venice residents are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the lagoons becoming an “adventure park,” giant cruise ships disembarking thousands of loud visitors making public spaces virtually impossible to navigate for locals, leftover garbage strewn by oblivious tourists, as well as rising rent prices in the city.
The anti-tourism mood is present in Portugal and Greece as well. Not long ago, an Australian tourist was beaten by four men in a shop in Athens. “The men beat me for no reason at all,” the man said. “We’re just tourists, we’ve come here to spend our money on your business, and they’re beating us,” his wife added.
The attack which took place in July is an isolated event, but it is clear that resistance to mass tourism is increasing. Meanwhile, in Lisbon, initiatives such as, “People living here” have established themselves and are making a move against overtourism in the city’s old town.
Protests Not a Short-term Phenomenon
Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization, speaks of a “very serious situation” in the face of the anti-tourism protests in Southern Europe. It’s highly unlikely these protests are going to be short-lived. “The overtourism protests are not a short term-phenomenon, it is a systematic problem,” says Harald Pechlaner, a professor at the University of Eichstädt. “If the politicians do not act in the right direction, these protests may continue in the years to come. Paris, London, Dublin, Rome, Prague – overtourism is gradually affecting the lives of more and more cities
The UNWTO advises tourism regions to distribute their tourism streams more thoughtfully. “Even outside Mallorca or Barcelona, Spain has much to offer,” says Pehlaner. Amsterdam and Copenhagen are good examples of cities that have successfully encouraged visitors to explore the surrounding countryside.
Some Communities Are Trying to Control the Tourism Flow
For example, Dubrovnik has installed cameras in its old town to count people, and slow the influx if necessary. Numerous Italian cities have introduced restrictions for tourists. Meanwhile, in the Balearic Islands, a law has been introduced that limits the number of overnight accommodations available on the islands.
Takeaways for Rural BC?