Southern Europe is sick of tourists

Tourist destinations in southern Europe, including Rome, Barcelona, and Athens, are experiencing a resurgence of discontent among locals as tourism returns post-pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic had temporarily alleviated the pressure of overcrowding, but the influx of travelers has reignited frustrations over water scarcity, rising housing costs, and the overall impact of tourism on daily life. Activists and residents have taken to the streets, using creative methods like water guns and stickers to express their displeasure with rowdy visitors. In cities like Barcelona, the water consumption of tourists significantly exceeds that of residents, exacerbating existing water shortages. Some regions, such as drought-stricken Sicily, have begun to refuse tourists altogether due to these resource constraints. Despite tourism being a vital economic driver for many southern European countries, the balance between economic benefits and the quality of life for locals is increasingly being questioned. Protests against tourism have been noted not only in Spain but also in Portugal, Italy, and Greece, with various measures being implemented to manage tourist behavior. These include restrictions on activities like taking selfies in certain areas and limiting the size of cruise ships in popular ports. However, these measures have sometimes led to further backlash from residents who feel their cities are becoming overly commercialized. In response to these challenges, some cities are adopting more stringent regulations, such as Barcelona's plan to halt short-term rentals by 2028. Others, like Copenhagen, are exploring positive incentives for eco-friendly tourist behavior, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to tourism that considers environmental and social impacts alongside economic gains.