Residents in many European destinations, host to large masses of tourists, are increasingly protesting against mass tourism. Many initiatives have been started and implemented in an effort to regulate the overwhelming number of visitors and their impression in many cities, from Barcelona to Venice. Here’s a rundown of what some of these places are doing about mass tourism and Protests Against Mass Tourism in Europe
Many popular European destinations are seeing rising protests against mass tourism. Here’s how some cities are addressing the issue:
Barcelona: The city is tackling the impact of short-term vacation rentals on its housing market. Mayor Jaume Collboni plans to phase out these rentals within five years to free up over 10,000 apartments for long-term residents. Palma, the island’s capital, is also cracking down on illegal tourist accommodations and has limited the number of cruise liners at its port.
Canary Islands: With a record 14 million tourists visiting, locals are frustrated. Protests began in April, calling for fairer distribution of tourism revenue and better wages. Starting January 2025, an “eco tax” for tourists will be introduced on Tenerife.
Paris: Tourists in Paris will face a significant increase in the city’s tourist tax due to the 2024 Olympics. The tax will rise by 200%, reaching up to €14.95 per night for the most expensive accommodations. Paris also plans to regulate short-term rentals, especially with the influx of visitors expected for the Games.
Amsterdam: The Dutch capital has set a cap of 20 million overnight stays per year to manage tourism. New hotels can only open if another one closes, and there will be restrictions on the number of cruise ships allowed.
Greece: Greece is considering limits on cruise ships in popular destinations like Santorini and Mykonos due to over tourism. The country has also introduced a “climate crisis resilience fee” on tourist accommodations to fund emergency responses to climate-related events.
Venice: To control the number of day-trippers, Venice has started charging admission fees for non-overnight visitors on certain days. The fee could rise next year to discourage short visits that contribute to overcrowding.
Residents in many European destinations, host to large masses of tourists, are increasingly protesting against mass tourism. Many initiatives have been started and implemented in an effort to regulate the overwhelming number of visitors and their impression in many cities, from Barcelona to Venice. Here’s a rundown of what some of these places are doing about mass tourism. These measures reflect a growing concern about the impact of mass tourism on local communities and the environment across Europe.
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Source: HT
