Europe is home to an array of cultural gems, from bustling Spanish cities like Barcelona to beach havens such as the Canary Islands. But a global team of experts at Fodor’s Travel has warned tourists to consider the impact of overtourism on European hotspots before taking advantage of cheap flights.
Overtourism, as defined by Sustainable Travel International, occurs when too many visitors flock to a destination, exceeding its ability to manage it sustainably. This leads to overcrowding, environmental degradation, strained infrastructure, reduced quality of life for residents, and a diminished visitor experience. Spain is among the most impacted countries, having cracked down on Airbnb and holiday rentals last year. Locals in Barcelona even soaked visitors with water guns while chanting, “tourists go home”. According to Fodor’s Travel, Barcelona is joined by Majorca, the Canary Islands, Venice, and Lisbon on their list of places in Europe “where locals don’t want you.”
Fodor’s Travel reported: “Barcelona currently has over 10,000 licensed vacation rentals on platforms like Airbnb, and the average home now rents for 68% more than a decade ago.” While the local government has pledged to remove all short-term rental licenses by 2028, activists say it’s too little too late. On Reddit, one resident said, “Barcelona has become an amusement park made for tourists. Everything’s overpriced. When you go to class or work, you have to avoid distracted tourists who randomly stop to take a picture.” Another added: “Locals have been pushed out of their own cities by tourists. Local businesses shut down because tourist businesses are more profitable.”
The Balearic government introduced a tourism tax in 2016, which will increase in 2025 for June, July, and August. Restrictions also exist in some resorts, banning overnight alcohol sales to combat the “tourism of excess”. Last summer, protests erupted across Europe, with tens of thousands gathering on beaches in Majorca and the Canary Islands, holding signs reading: “Your luxury, our misery,” and “The Canaries have a limit.” In the Canary Islands, tourism makes up 35% of GDP, generating €16.9 billion in 2023.
