Overcrowding - The dark side of tourism

Movements against excessive tourism are emerging in many European countries. To "cool down" this wave before summer arrives, governments have adopted solutions that reconcile the interests of local people and the lucrative tourism sector.

"Go home."

Tourism is considered the biggest source of income for the beautiful Canary Islands in Spain, the second most visited country in the world . But due to dissatisfaction with the surge in tourism, protests by locals have begun, with graffiti appearing in many parts of the islands urging tourists to "go home."

Similarly, the ancient city of Malaga, the capital of the Costa de Sol – a seaside paradise situated right on the Mediterranean coast – has long been a favorite destination for millions of tourists thanks to its sunny climate and relatively low cost of living. Now, locals plaster anti-tourist slogans all over their houses, ranging from the milder phrases "this used to be my home" (antes esta era mi casa) or "this used to be the city center" (antes esto era el centro), to the more angry "go away" (a tu puta casa)...

According to The Local Spain, in 2023, 14 million tourists, both domestic and international, visited Malaga. Recent data from the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE) indicates that 8 out of 10 new residents in Malaga are foreigners. Around 630 technology companies, including Google, have opened offices in Malaga, turning it into Europe's Silicon Valley, attracting thousands of international workers and digital nomads. This reality has awakened local residents in Malaga. They believe they are paying too high a price and being driven out of their own hometown.

For example, Tenerife, one of Spain's most famous islands, recently declared a water emergency. This situation further fueled anger among locals, as some tourist areas use up to six times more water than residential areas, putting pressure on vital water reserves for domestic use and agriculture . The Canarian Weekly reported that a "tourism phobia" is also spreading to popular tourist spots like the Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Gran Canaria, with walls plastered with messages saying "goodbye" to tourists.

Meanwhile, from the beginning of April to the end of October, the Spanish Aviation Association planned to operate up to 758,000 flights, a 9% increase compared to the same period in 2023, bringing the total capacity to 240 million seats.

Tourists participate in the Amsterdam Canal Parade, Netherlands. Photo: amsterdamboatexperience.com

The head of the Spanish Aviation Association, Javier Gandara, said that air services to the Canary Islands and southern Andalusia, one of Spain's top summer tourist destinations, will increase by 14% in total seats, while Madrid and Barcelona will see a 15% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Airlines are also increasing the number of seats on routes between Spain and markets such as Germany and the UK.

A compromise solution

The Exceltur Travel Association estimates that revenue in this sector, including hotels and transport companies, will increase by 6% in the second quarter of 2024, compared to the record high for the same period in 2023. Undeniably, tourism brings many benefits to the economy, but when it reaches what is called “overtourism,” it can cause numerous problems for local people, such as overcrowding, price gouging, littering, and property damage. For these reasons, top tourist destinations are pleading with people not to visit, as many simply lack the infrastructure to cope.

Many European countries have implemented tourist taxes, including Venice, Italy, which has also banned cruise ships from its canal system. Amsterdam, Netherlands, has imposed drunken restrictions on British tourists… Hawaii continues to grapple with hotel staff shortages, traffic congestion, and restaurant wait times of up to 90 minutes.

In Asia, concerned about the impact on the daily lives of residents in the ancient capital of Kyoto, local authorities have implemented a series of initiatives to better cope with the influx of tourists. Measures include enhancing bus and taxi services, allowing companies to set different fare levels during peak times, improving infrastructure, and establishing community counseling centers. Another major initiative is an attempt to encourage tourists to move away from the three major cities (Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka) to other locations.

HANH CHI

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