Overtouristing backlash

There are 23 replies in this Thread which has previously been viewed 2,690 times. The latest Post (July 25, 2024 at 3:39 PM) was by GlasgowJohn.

    The growing numbers of tourists, boosted by the post-pandemic bump and exacerbated by oversized cruise ships, is causing a backlash in some popular European tourist destinations.

    In Barcelona, there was a large protest (organizers claim 20k protesters, city claims 2k) in the touristy area of Las Ramblas, with “tourists go home” signs, shouting, and water pistols discharged in the faces of people eating in restaurants.

    Different cities are trying to manage the overtouristing phenomenon in various ways. Some cities are charging tourists entry fees (e.g. Venice) and restricting admission to sites (e.g. Athens). Barcelona citizens are asking for a ban on vacation rentals and a limit on the number of cruise ships allowed. Majorca has even placed restrictions on alcohol sales.

    In contrast, Copenhagen is trying a positive approach, by rewarding tourists who participate in the city’s green initiatives, which include train and bike travel and clean-up efforts. These visitors are being given free meals, kayak rentals, museum tours and other incentives.

    We all understand the immense value of travel as well as the irritation and damage caused by poor tourist behavior. I hope Copenhagen’s carrot vs stick approach works and, as they hope, has a ripple effect among other cities.

    I just read about varying reactions to Venice’s €5 entrance fee for day travelers. City officials had designated certain holidays and weekends from April through mid-July as peak days, and charged the fee to discourage single-day traffic on those 29 days.

    During that time, 485k people paid the fee, generating €2.43 million, which delighted the mayor but of course prompted critics to point out that the large income meant that the €5 fee hadn’t acted as a deterrent. Coming soon: a €10 fee? 25? 50?

    We're spending a couple of days in Madrid at the beginning of our trip because my wife has family there as well as in Galicia. Then, later on in September, a few days in Barcelona because my nephew has been living there for over 20 years and is married to a Catalan girl. And we're meeting up with friends there, notably my graphic designer mate who is Argentine, but lives there. Then a few days in a coastal town near the French border to stay with a mate I've known since we were nipper at school in Wales.

    Best of both worlds really, especially if the weather is good and we can jump in the Med.

    I've been to Barcelona some years ago. I would rate it as overrated, but that's just me. No idea what Madrid is like

    I've been to Almeria a few times in the less peak times i.e. when its a complete ghost town. 30°c in late September/early October isn't bad either. Don't like very hot weather tbh

    it doesnt help locals renting out airbnbs which is jacking up the prices. Its similar in cornwall, just that the rich have second homes they never use

    I can understand the frustration of locals who are unable to find affordable housing, when that housing is being rented out on Airbnb at higher prices to tourists.

    Is that the central point? I suppose it is.

    But then aren’t we talking about locations where people and businesses rely on tourism ?

    What about them?

    There has been a long-standing issue in Devon and Cornwall along these lines where locals have been priced out of the market for buying properties. But the nuance there is different as far as I know. It’s people from outside the area who can afford to buy there buying up holiday homes there diminishing the property availability for locals and the prices rising with it.

    But tourism accommodation via Air BnBs is surely a different dynamic.

    It’s just tourism. That’s always been seen as a positive for an area.

    The market decides.and interference with market dynamics by government is really not a good thing.

    Quote from Rice

    I can understand the frustration of locals who are unable to find affordable housing, when that housing is being rented out on Airbnb at higher prices to tourists.

    That's for the Government to sort out I would have thought.

    Ah yes, aficionado . Those were the findings I referenced in my post last Saturday. What fee would you guess might be high enough to have a significant impact on day traffic?

    I wonder if additional, VERY LARGE, fees charged to cruise ships would ease the greater problem in Venice?

    Quote from Rice

    Ah yes, aficionado . Those were the findings I referenced in my post last Saturday. What fee would you guess might be high enough to have a significant impact on day traffic?

    I wonder if additional, VERY LARGE, fees charged to cruise ships would ease the greater problem in Venice?

    Good point that they might consider to differentiate between individual visitors vs the masses of cruise ship arrivals. Each probably has different pros, such as who spends more $, and cons such as who trods along with the most disruption. From those studies they could quantify the amount to charge. Perhaps even variable amounts based on the time of day or season.

    I have no idea how much would slow down the visitors. At least they see a way to earn money for spending to better improve the life of the locals.

    Donna Leon is a novelist with a series of some 30 books set in Venice. In a recent one, two Venetians, discussing changes in their city, lament the loss of small stores that sold actually useful THINGS: hardware, groceries, household supplies. That was before they were replaced by stores selling masks and other items popular with tourists.