The summer is over, but fears about overtourism rumble on.
With flights and holidays returning, and in some countries, surpassing, pre-pandemic levels, the hunt for winter sun could make things harder for locals in popular destinations.
And protests against tourists are growing.
Spain is expected to receive more than 90 million foreign visitors by the end of the year, and there’ve already been anti-tourism protests in the Canary Islands, with more planned for Seville and San Sebastián.
Earlier this year, tourists in Barcelona were squirted with water pistols and told to ‘Go Home!’
Feelings are running high, and what was once the golden goose of the local economy begins to feel more like an albatross, although most countries are relying on an economic solution rather than a crackdown.
Tourist taxes may not be popular, but the extension of this year’s experimental day-tripper surcharge in Venice means they’re here to stay.
And maybe not just in the high season.
It’ll also be interesting to see if these fears will affect what holiday competitions are on offer.
We’re keeping an eye on the situation and will update our posts when we learn something new.
Photo credit: Mattsjc/Wikimedia (cc by 4.0)
Where to next?
• Tourist taxes
• Never mind the booze, feel the culture
• Holiday competitions