Tourism in Europe’s popular destinations continues to surge, but following widespread protests in 2024, what should we anticipate for the near future?
This year witnessed a series of anti-tourism demonstrations across Europe.
Locals took a stand to reclaim their cities through marches, campaigns, slogans, and even the playful use of water pistols.
From Amsterdam to Athens, and Venice to Barcelona, as well as the Canary Islands, Málaga, and the Balearic Islands, residents voiced their concerns over overtourism.
As we approach 2025, how will city authorities and protestors respond to the influx of visitors? Here’s a look at their plans and perspectives.
City Authorities Implement Overtourism Measures
In Barcelona, the city council has pledged to eliminate Airbnb-style accommodations by 2028. In December 2024, they made strides towards this goal by approving amendments to impose stricter limits on short-term rentals.
Venice has already implemented restrictions on tour groups and banned megaphones as of August. In Málaga, new holiday flats have been prohibited in 43 neighborhoods, while the Canary Islands plan to allocate 90 percent of residential zones to permanent residents over the next five years.
Conversely, Amsterdam has launched a “Stay Away” campaign, which includes an interactive quiz aimed at educating visitors about behavioral etiquette.
However, the issue transcends mere crowd control.
In Spain, where many protests have surged, the primary focus has been on the accommodation crisis. Locals argue that the rise in tourist accommodations directly contributes to the housing crisis they face.
Will these protests and new measures bring about change, or do these cities have a long battle ahead?
“We Need to Decrease Tourism,” Argues a Barcelona Protestor
Spain welcomed approximately 82.8 million international travelers in the first ten months of 2024, shattering previous records, according to the latest figures from the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism.
This trend shows no signs of slowing; tourism is projected to increase by 25 percent in the winter of 2024/25, as indicated by the Spanish Tourism Board.
A spokesperson for the Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turístic (Assembly of Neighborhoods for the Decline of Tourism or ABDT) in Barcelona, which spearheaded protests, expresses their viewpoint: “We want to connect through bigger networks while continuing our advocacy and educational efforts around the tourism industry. We need tourism to decrease.”
They feel that local authorities are more interested in suppressing protest activities than addressing the core issues, all while promoting tourism growth. They highlight that overtourism exacerbates climate, social, and environmental crises, alongside the housing emergency.
The ABDT insists that authorities must shift away from promoting tourism and large-scale events, instead pursuing eco-social transitions and reductions in tourism.
While they lack specific plans for future protests, their determination for change remains strong.
The spokesperson remarks that the city council’s ambition to ban all tourist apartments feels uncertain: “Currently, there is no concrete plan, merely a public statement. Even if it materializes, it would likely be too late and inadequate.” They advocate for a decline in all forms of tourist accommodation, including hotels, which they believe also diminish available housing stock.
The Canary Islands Anticipate More Anti-Tourism Protests
Nestor Marrero Rodríguez, secretary of ATAN (the Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature), who helped organize Tenerife’s overtourism protests in October, shares similar sentiments. He believes authorities are failing to address the pressing issues.
Rodríguez states, “In fact, quite the opposite is true. New development plans are underway that deteriorate the environment and perpetuate poverty for Canarian society.”
He does mention a manifesto outlining various proposals, including implementing a tourist eco-tax, limiting new constructions in favor of renovating existing hotels, and enhancing wastewater treatment systems.
“We are planning several demonstrations in tourist areas come 2025,” Rodríguez notes, although he does not confirm any specific dates.
For anyone considering a trip to the Canary Islands next year, Rodríguez advises, “As long as conditions remain unchanged, opt for more sustainable destinations with cleaner oceans where your travel dollars won’t contribute to local impoverishment and resource overexploitation.” He highlights several local enterprises offering sustainable vacation options.
Should Tourists Still ‘Stay Away’ from Amsterdam?
Amsterdam councillor Sofyan Mbarki speaks with Euronews Travel about the city’s efforts to combat overtourism in the upcoming year.
Mbarki notes that over the past few years, the city has implemented over 75 measures to mitigate the negative impacts of overtourism—from rules regulating bed-and-breakfasts and vacation rentals to relocating sea and river cruises and banning coaches from the city center.
“We observe that past measures have made a difference. Nonetheless, more actions are necessary to tackle the disturbances caused by tourism and manage the increasing visitor numbers in the future,” he explains.
In 2025, the city plans to continue banning new hotel beds and further restrict the opening of new hotels.
“We’ll also be enforcing earlier closing times for various cafes and restaurants and working towards diversifying coffee shop locations throughout the city,” he adds.
“These initiatives have positively impacted livability,” he confirms, emphasizing that additional measures will be introduced to manage the rising number of visitors and further lessen any disturbances.
“While visitors are welcome,” Mbarki insists, “we will not tolerate disrespectful behavior that disrupts our neighborhoods.”
If you are planning to explore Amsterdam, be sure to adhere to local regulations. The city encourages tourists to discover less crowded areas and explore the many magnificent places beyond the city center and throughout the surrounding regions.
Photo credit & article inspired by: Euronews
