Overtourism in places like Ibiza, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands causes high rents, unaffordable housing, and strain on public services.

Tourism has strained public services and housing in these areas, harming locals.

In Barcelona, protesters have marched against overtourism, which has driven up housing costs by 68% over the past decade, pricing out locals.

The city has seen local shops close and rising housing costs make rent unaffordable.

The Barcelona City Council has banned tourist apartments from 2028 to reduce pressure on housing and public services.

The Balearic Islands, including Ibiza and Mallorca, received 14.4 million visitors in 2023, straining local resources.

The tourism industry accounts for 45% of the islands' GDP, but also causes overcrowding, noise pollution, and environmental degradation.

Overtourism in Hawaii has led to a housing crisis, pricing locals out of their homes.

Hawaii's tourism industry is linked to colonialism and has contributed to the decline of the Native Hawaiian population.

In the Canary Islands, 20,000 people protested against excessive tourism, citing rising housing costs and strain on local resources.

The islands drew 16 million tourists last year, straining the local population of 2.2 million.

A small Menorcan village of 200 residents is overrun by 800,000 tourists annually, causing environmental issues.

The local government has introduced visiting time limits and a €2.30 daily tax for tourists.

Venice receives 20 million tourists annually, outnumbering its 49,000 residents.

Europe's tourism industry, which accounts for 10% of the economy, also brings problems like low wages, overcrowding, and environmental degradation.

Amsterdam has banned new hotels and Barcelona will end vacation apartment permits in 2028 to control tourism and housing pressure.

In the Canary Islands, locals are protesting overtourism, demanding a halt to new hotel constructions and a moratorium on tourist accommodations.

The islands expect 17 million visitors in 2024, putting further pressure on local resources and infrastructure.

In Palma de Mallorca, 10,000 people protested against mass tourism, citing unaffordable housing, inflated prices, and strained utilities and services.

The protesters want fewer tourists and a ban on non-resident home buying for speculation.

In Mallorca, 20,000 people protested against excessive tourism, citing harm to public services, natural resources, and affordable housing.

The protesters are demanding a more sustainable tourism policy that prioritizes local communities.

In the Canary Islands, thousands have protested against mass tourism, citing depletion of resources, poverty, and unaffordable housing for locals.

The protesters are calling for a more sustainable tourism approach that prioritizes local communities.

Tourism contributes 8% to global emissions, significantly degrading the environment.

Excessive visitor numbers degrade natural areas and habitats.

Rising temperatures and poor infrastructure worsen environmental issues at popular destinations.

Tourism revenue brings economic benefits and supports conservation efforts.

The absence of tourism can positively impact the environment by reducing carbon emissions and helping wildlife flourish.

To address overtourism, cities like Barcelona have introduced tourist taxes to reduce visitor numbers and alleviate pressure on public services.

Cities like Amsterdam and Venice have introduced measures to control tourism, including hotel bans and tourist entry fees.

Some destinations have implemented sustainable tourism certifications to promote responsible practices and reduce overtourism's negative impacts.

Technology can help manage tourist taxes and promote sustainable tourism.

Community engagement is crucial in addressing overtourism, as seen in Gwynedd Council and Snowdonia National Park Authority's Memorandum of Understanding on sustainable tourism.

Addressing overtourism requires a multi-faceted approach involving government policies, community engagement, and sustainable tourism practices.

Overtourism has far-reaching negative impacts on the environment, local communities, and the economy in tourist areas.

Overtourism creates more problems than benefits, driving up rent, displacing locals, and worsening congestion and pollution.

Protesters in the Canary Islands are demanding a tourist freeze due to unaffordable living and environmental degradation.

The Canary Islands' tourism industry accounts for 35% of GDP, yet 33.8% of locals face poverty or social exclusion.

Tenerife has 40% of jobs in hospitality, but its population density of nearly 1,000 people per square kilometer strains resources and infrastructure.

The island is under a drought emergency and faces traffic and parking issues.

Property prices and rents have risen significantly due to Airbnb-style holiday lets.

60,000 people protested in Santa Cruz, demanding limits on tourism to preserve resources and space.

Spain attracted 85 million visitors in 2023, including 7.8 million in Barcelona, underscoring the need for sustainable tourism.

The city has introduced a tourist tax, but more needs to be done to manage the crowds.

UNESCO's Sustainable Tourism Project promotes quality tourism, with civil society groups seeking higher taxes and restrictions.

Cities can adopt a quality over quantity policy to reduce overtourism's negative effects, but more action is needed.

Excessive tourism damages local culture and quality of life, necessitating sustainable practices.

Hawaii received 10.4 million visitors in 2019, causing harm to its natural and cultural resources due to overtourism.

Hawaii's tourism rebounded to 9.2 million visitors in 2022, but overtourism threatens its ecosystem.

The Destination Management Action Plan aims to reduce tourism impact, but more action is needed.

Tourist taxes have been introduced in countries like Russia to support local communities and conservation efforts.

Russia's tourist tax is calculated per hotel room, with municipalities deciding on introduction, rates, and exemptions.

Bali levies a $10 tax on foreign tourists to preserve the island and support its culture and environment.

Bali's tourism sector is recovering, with a new tax aimed at mitigating negative tourism impacts.

In Scotland, a tourist tax will be introduced for hotels, hostels, and other overnight stays, excluding wild campers.

The tax revenue in Scotland will support public services and conservation, benefiting both tourists and locals.

A proposed tourism tax in Wales could fund local services but may harm the sector and cause job losses.

The tourism tax could ease the burden on locals, but may deter tourists, particularly with the added 20% VAT.

Spain introduces a daily tourist surcharge to fund sustainability projects, varying by accommodation and season.

The tax was criticized by ABTA, but supported by Malaga's Mayor to offset resident costs.

Overtourism is a complex issue requiring a multi-faceted approach to address its negative environmental, community, and economic impacts.

Implementing tourist taxes, certifications, and community engagement can promote sustainable tourism and reduce overtourism's negative impacts.

Technology can help manage tourist taxes and promote sustainable tourism.

Addressing overtourism is necessary.

Overtourism in places like Ibiza, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands causes high rents, unaffordable housing, and strain on public services.

Title:

Content: British tourists warned European island 'doesn't have enough locals left to run things'

Ibiza is the latest holiday hotspot in Spain where anger with overtourism is boiling over.

By Alice Scarsi, World News Reporter

Ibiza welcomes around three million tourists every year (Image: GETTY)

The cost of rents and mortgages, which activists say is being pushed up by over-tourism, is prompting people to leave Ibiza, one of the most popular Balearic Islands.

This, in turn, is harming public services, as there aren't enough people available to work in them, it has been claimed.

Iván Fidalgo, a Guardia Civil officer and local coordinator for the Spanish Association of Civil Guards, told Euronews Travel: "They sell Ibiza as a first-class resort, but it is not because it doesn’t even have the public services because there are not enough people to work in them."

Many of the locals who don't leave the island are forced to leave in cramped accommodations or relocate in caravans, campaigners have claimed.

Ibiza attracts on average three million tourists a year, some 800,000 of which are Britons.

Tourism is an industry important to the economy of the island (Image: GETTY)

In 2023, the Balearics as a whole saw an unprecedented surge of international interest, attracting 14.4 million visitors from abroad - who spent collectively £14.75bn (€17.22bn).

Tourism is a majorly important industry for the archipelago, creating 200,000 jobs locally and generating 45 percent of the islands' GDP.

However, an increased demand for temporary accommodation created by tourism reportedly means that many locals are pushed out of their homes as they are unable to afford the increasing housing costs.

Similar issues are being lamented by activists elsewhere in popular Spanish destinations - including the Canary Islands.

Last month, many of these islands including Tenerife held massive anti-overtourism protests, in which they demanded local governments to limit the number of visitors and curb the development of tourist stays.

Similar pleas were heard on Friday in Ibiza, where around a 1000 people took to the streets of the island's capital to demand limits on the number of tourist arrivals.

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Tourism has strained public services and housing in these areas, harming locals.

In Barcelona, protesters have marched against overtourism, which has driven up housing costs by 68% over the past decade, pricing out locals.

Title:

Content: Excessive tourism _ Spanish tourists push up property prices, anger thousands of people in Barcelona
Author: United Morning Post
Published: Updated:
Thousands of demonstrators marched in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday (July 6) to denounce the negative impact of the large number of tourists.
French media reported that under the slogan “Enough! Let ’ s limit tourism ”, about 2,800 people marched in a coastal area of Barcelona.
They called for a new economic model to reduce the number of visits by millions of tourists each year.
"I am not against tourism, but Barcelona is suffering from overtourism, which makes our city unlivable," said one participant.
On July 6, 2024, a large number of demonstrators took to the streets in Barcelona, Spain, to protest against “excessive tourism ” in the area.
(Reuters)
Demonstrators carried banners reading “Less sightseeing now! ” chanting slogans such as“ Tourists leave our community ” and stopping in front of the hotel to the surprise of the tourists.
The cost of housing in Barcelona continues to rise.
According to the local government, the cost of housing has risen 68% over the past decade, as well as the negative impact of tourism on local businesses and jobs in Barcelona, sparking the protests.
June 29, 2024, Malaga, Spain, tourists arrive at Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport and walk inside the passenger terminal while a group of tour guides wait for passengers to cross the border to start work. (REUTERS / Jon Nazca)
One protester said: “Local shops are closing to make way for those that can ’ t meet the needs of the community. ”
People can't afford to pay rent. "
In response to the “negative impact of mass tourism, ” the Barcelona City Council has announced that tourist apartments will be banned from renting from 2028 in order to put them back on the local housing market.
This was opposed by the Tourist Apartments Association, who said it would only help the black market.
On June 29, 2024, Malaga, Spain, tourists walk inside the passenger terminal after arriving at Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport. (REUTERS / Jon Nazca)
Spain is the second most visited European country, receiving 85 million foreign tourists in 2023, an increase of 18.7% over the previous year, just behind France.
The most visited region is Catalonia, which received 18 million visitors last year.
On June 25, 2024, in Ronda, Spain, two German tourists jumped at an attraction and their friends took photos of it. (REUTERS / Jon Nazca)
This article is authorized by the United Morning Post.

The city has seen local shops close and rising housing costs make rent unaffordable.

The Barcelona City Council has banned tourist apartments from 2028 to reduce pressure on housing and public services.

The Balearic Islands, including Ibiza and Mallorca, received 14.4 million visitors in 2023, straining local resources.

The tourism industry accounts for 45% of the islands' GDP, but also causes overcrowding, noise pollution, and environmental degradation.

Overtourism in Hawaii has led to a housing crisis, pricing locals out of their homes.

Title:

Content: Today is Sunday October 08, 2023
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Hawaii’s ‘overtourism’ becomes growing debate as West Maui reopens for visitors

Posted/updated on: October 8, 2023 at 5:48 pm

West Maui began reopening Sunday to visitors just two months after a wildfire devastated the town of Lahaina.

The reopening did not come without outrage from some residents, many of whom signed a petition to delay the reopening as families continue to struggle to "find shelter, provide for their children's education, and cope with emotional trauma," according to the petition.

Homes have been flattened and are completely inhabitable. Businesses have been decimated. Some loved ones remain unaccounted for and residents have been grieving the loss of 97 people who died in the tragedy.

The petition has received more than 10,000 signatures.

The fact that tourism is resuming so soon around the outskirts of a town made unrecognizable by the wildfires has reignited an ongoing debate about Hawaii's reliance on tourism.

"There is just not a lot of activities like there usually is for these people to do, so a lot of people are wondering, why do they want to come here?" said Jordan Ruidas, a community organizer and resident.

Tourism is the No. 1 driver of that state's economy, according to Hawaii Tourism Authority, and businesses across the island have been impacted by the lack of visitors since the Aug. 8 wildfires.

But some residents link tourism and its historical links to colonialism with many of the issues plaguing the Islands, including lack of access to clean water, the housing crisis, and pollution and destruction of Hawaiian lands.

"It's a great business for Hawaii, but the difficult thing for us here is that there is not a street, a community, a county. There's nowhere that you can hide from tourism in Hawaii," said Susie Pu, a hotel manager on Maui.

She continued, "The most important thing is that we find a balance between the Hawaiian culture and tourism. Hawaiian people need to be benefiting from tourism equally. And I do not see that."

Hawaii before tourism

Hawaii didn't always rely on tourism as its main source of income.

According to research from the University of Hawaii, Hawaiian society was self-sustaining and run in cooperative, extended ohana -- or family -- that each manned subdivisions of land.

Native Hawaiians were recorded to have been living "well above subsistence levels, with extensive time available for cultural activities, sports, and games" before their long period of isolation from outsiders came to an end, the University of Hawaii found.

Contact with the outside world in the 1770s changed Hawaii drastically. Deaths caused a massive wave of fatalities, leading to a 90% decline in the Native Hawaiian population, according to research from the National Academy of Medicine.

The Hawaiian Kingdom and monarchy were formed during this period of change, adopting Western political strategies to settle disputes between competing Hawaiian states. The Islands also became integrated into the global market, losing its past self-sustaining system.

This drastic social, economic, and political change was marked by a shift to sugar production when a treaty with the U.S. exempted sugar firms on the island from high tariffs.

"The story of sugar is really, really important because in a lot of ways it was the wealthy and powerful corporations that promoted sugar to the kingdom that really were responsible for seeking markets in the United States," Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwoʻole Osorio, the dean of the Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, said.

"That's all a part of the story of not just the rise, but the fall of the [Hawaiian] kingdom," said Osorio.

As production expanded, American corporations producing sugar on the Islands sought to keep prices high and labor costs lower, hiring cheaper immigrant labor and lobbying for an immigration policy that would allow them to do so, historians say.

"While sugar did actually generate a great deal of income, most of that income really acted to sort of replace Native Hawaiians in the country," said Osorio.

Efforts to expand sugar production and house waves of imported labor pushed Native Hawaiians from their land, home, and island.

Throughout this time, laborers were organizing against low wages and poor benefits, and "the sugar companies began to lose a little bit of control. Everybody can sort of see that in the future, sugar is not going to be as profitable as it once was," according to Osorio.

However, World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 put labor rights efforts to a halt.

It wasn't until the late 1940s that workers began to make real concessions -- getting better benefits and salaries.

"Sugar companies really basically are looking at an industry that's not nearly as conducive to profits as it once was. Plus, in the post-war world, there's also new competition from places like the Philippines," Osorio added.

By the 1970s, more and more plantations were shutting down and they were moving toward using their lands for a tourist economy.

"Tourism would not exist at the scale that it exists today if it weren't for the takeover," Osorio said.

Vulnerability in tourism reliance

Following the wildfires on the West side, occupancy at the oceanfront condo resort Hana Kai Maui on the other side of the island was impacted almost immediately.

"We have always operated at a really high occupancy, almost like 95% year round. The day of the fires or the day after the fires, it was just such a downward slide," Pu said.

"We lost hundreds of 1000s of dollars in reservations over about a one-week period. And we're only a 17-unit business so it was a lot. We're recovering," she added.

Noah Drazkowski, who was born and raised in West Maui and owns a local business, told ABC News in a previous interview that he's been grieving alongside his community while looking for ways to keep his local business afloat.

"The majority of our income is from tourists, tourism, and I wish that we could say that we can survive on only the local community support," said Drazkowski.

Some business owners are torn about the future of tourism in Maui.

In 2022 alone, Hawaii saw nearly 10 million visitors, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Islands saw roughly 2.7 million.

Now, approximately 70% of every dollar is generated directly or indirectly by the visitor industry, according to the Maui Economic Development Board.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how life in Hawaii could be without "overtourism," Osorio said.

"We started really seeing what happens to beaches and what happens to the ocean and what happens to mountain trails, hiking trails when they are free of so many people," said Osorio. "The quality of life in so many ways improves not [just for the people] but for other species that have depended on this environment for a long time."

Pu added: "We want tourists in Hawaii, but we also want to be able to live peacefully here and we want our forests to remain intact."

The impacts of tourism

Being a popular tourist destination comes with its challenges.

The Aloha State is experiencing one of the worst housing crises in America, with some of the highest housing costs in the nation and the fourth-highest rate of homelessness per capita in the country, according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The U.S. has acknowledged its historical responsibility for causing this housing crisis among Native Hawaiians through its 1921 Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, a reparations policy that set aside land for Native communities after the violent displacement and removal of Native Hawaiians.

Parts of Maui have also been under a water conservation notice in recent years, as an intense drought and dry conditions limit the region's access to water. With hotels and resorts taking up their share of the water, some locals wish that water would be directed toward residents, especially following the deadly wildfire in which firefighters in Lahaina claimed that their hoses ran dry.

Politicians have been under pressure from some residents to look for a way to diversify the economy and for land to be given back to the Native Hawaiian population. As tourism comes back toward the disaster area, the conversation around tourism is unlikely to settle down.

"Our desire is to provide for ourselves so that we can properly feed ourselves, so that we can actually have places to live, so that we can protect the lands from misuse," said Osorio.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Hawaii's tourism industry is linked to colonialism and has contributed to the decline of the Native Hawaiian population.

In the Canary Islands, 20,000 people protested against excessive tourism, citing rising housing costs and strain on local resources.

Title:

Content: Excessive tourism is sweeping the archipelago.
Canaries want to “respect the place. ”
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Spain ’ s Canary Islands to protest against excessive tourism they say is sweeping the archipelago.
About 20,000 people, according to police and 50,000 according to organisers, held placards with some reading “Canary Islands are not for sale ” or“ Yes to stop tourism ” and “Respect where I live ”.
The demonstration took place on the streets of the main cities of the archipelago at the invitation of some 20 social and environmental groups who believe that the current economic model is harmful to both the population and the environment, and are demanding that the authorities limit the number of tourists.
One protester told Spanish public television TVE: “We are not against tourism, we are just calling for a change of the current model that allows unlimited growth of tourism. ”
One of the most prominent demands of the demonstrators is to stop the construction of two new hotels in Tenerife, the largest and most developed of the seven islands of the archipelago, and for the residents to have a say in decisions regarding the development of tourism.
Nevis Rodriguez Rivera, 59, told AFP: "We are tired of overpopulation.
“If wealthy foreigners buy land from our ancestors, we don ’ t have the financial means to buy it. ”
The constant influx of visitors is destroying biodiversity and exacerbating the housing crisis by increasing rent, says Antonio Samuel Díaz García, 22.
The Canary Islands off the coast of North Africa attract tourists with its volcanic nature and sunny beaches.
It has a population of 2.2 million and last year attracted 16 million tourists.
Four out of 10 residents work in the tourism sector, which accounts for 36% of GDP.
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The islands drew 16 million tourists last year, straining the local population of 2.2 million.

A small Menorcan village of 200 residents is overrun by 800,000 tourists annually, causing environmental issues.

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Locals in ‘Spanish Mykonos’ popular with Britons call for action on overtourism

Residents of the Menorcan village of Binibeca Vell said they welcomed British tourists, but needed support from the authorities to cope

MADRID – Known as the “Spanish Mykonos” for its beautiful, narrow white-walled lanes that attract thousands of tourists a year, residents of Binibeca Vell are calling for authorities to take action to stop it being overwhelmed by visitors.

The Menorcan village, which has over 200 permanent residents but attracts 800,000 holidaymakers every year, is inundated with visitors who follow noisy tour guides, leave rubbish and take selfies as the sun goes down over the Mediterranean.

Last year, tired of being invaded, residents of the coastal village managed to impose limits on visiting times so tourists are only allowed in between 10am and 10pm and secured a grant of €15,000 from the island’s government to help pay to manage the area.

However, as Spain braces itself for a record year for tourism, with airlines scheduling extra flights, the Menorcan government withdrew this grant and said residents must pay for cleaning or charge visitors to enter.

The battle playing out in Menorca is being repeated from the Canary Islands to Barcelona as residents hit back at what some claim is uncontrolled tourism that puts pressure on housing and squeezes Spaniards out.

Oscar Monge, president of the Community of Property Owners in Binibeca Vell, said tourists were not the problem.

“I love Britain and I want to make it clear that British tourists are not the problem. It is the lack of action from the Menorcan government,” he told i.

“They want us to pay for the cleaning of the streets because this is a private village or charge tourists for coming to the village, which we do not want to do. Sometimes tourists come in with tour guides and leave rubbish, but why should we have to pay to clear it up? Menorca charges a tourist tax of €2.30 per day, so what is that being used for?”

In a private village, property owners own the streets and land the village was built on, unlike in the typical case where common land is publicly owned.

Begoña Mercadal, director of tourism for the Menorcan government, said the residents’ organisation did not want to renew the €15,000 grant agreement.

“The agreement established that it was automatically renewed if the two parties requested it before 19 December, 2023 and they did not do so, therefore we understood that they were not interested,” she told eldiario.es, an online news site.

Spain received 9.8 million visitors in the first two months of 2024. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday: “Our commitment to a quality, innovative and sustainable model turns Spain into a cutting-edge tourist destination.”

Meanwhile, protests are planned across the Canary Islands against overtourism on Saturday as members of the group Canarias Se Agota carried on with a hunger strike.

One member of the group had to receive hospital attention on Tuesday after starting the strike five days earlier.

Protests will be staged in support of the Canary Islands action in Berlin, Madrid and Malaga by environmental group Greenpeace.

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The local government has introduced visiting time limits and a €2.30 daily tax for tourists.

Venice receives 20 million tourists annually, outnumbering its 49,000 residents.

Title:

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“Let the tourists go home! ” – Over-sightseeing is overwhelming the residents of Europe ’ s popular cities
Lisa Stüve
14 July 2024
Many of Europe ’ s holiday destinations are expected to see record numbers of visitors this summer.
However, local residents were deeply troubled by the development of mass tourism and took to the streets to protest.
Is there a solution?
Https: / / p.dw.com / p / 4iD5I
In many of Europe's most popular tourist cities, residents began to protest against the influx of tourists.
Venice is one of them, the local residents are plagued by tourism, the city's housing prices are rising, and the number of available housing is decreasing.
Venice ’ s Old Town also has a resident population of less than 49,000, compared to an estimated 20 million tourists visiting Venice each year.
Europe has the most visitors from all over the world, and Venice isn ’ t the only city to suffer from a surge in visitors.
In Barcelona and other tourist cities in Spain, there are increasing reports of local residents protesting against tourists.
In Lisbon, Prague and Amsterdam, large-scale tourism has led to growing tensions between tourists and locals.
Residents everywhere protested for the same reasons: rising rents, soaring property prices, and problems with access to resources.
Tourism is one of the economic sources
The EU estimates that tourism accounts for about 10 per cent of the economy's total output.
About 12.3 million people are employed in the industry.
“But these are just abstract numbers, ” says Sebastian Zenker, a tourism researcher at Copenhagen Business School.
He pointed out that if rents rise at the same time, property prices exceed residents' affordability, and restaurants are affordable only to tourists, then the income from tourism will not bring real benefits to local residents.
For locals, tourism development must provide them with the balance they feel – that is, liveability is not unduly negatively affected while benefiting from tourism.
Although a large number of people are employed in the tourism industry, "only a few have a good income or can make a living from it," Zeng said in an interview with Deutsche Welle.
He said low wages were a problem.
In Italy, where there is no legal minimum wage, the minimum hourly wage is 4.85 euros in Portugal and 6.87 euros in Spain.
Big tourist tax
Where did all the money go?
Paul Peeters, who studies sustainable tourism and transportation at the University of Breda in the Netherlands, says the money is mostly going to the airline industry, large hotel chains, international companies and cruise lines.
When calculating the flow of tourism, the choice of travel mode is crucial. Cruise tourists eat and drink on board, and passengers who order through large travel agencies usually sell their tickets, hotels, and meals in packages, which tend to spend less locally.
But at the same time, the arrival of tourists brings with it air pollution and water consumption – all at the expense of local residents.
This sense of imbalance has further exacerbated tensions between locals and tourists.
All stakeholders in the tourism industry understand that they need tourists, and the question is how to develop tourism and what kind of tourism to develop.
Copenhagen tourism researcher Zeng Ke said.
Restrictive marketing, rules and bans
The first policies are in place.
For example, new hotels are no longer allowed in Amsterdam.
In addition, the city is trying to control drug and party-themed tourism through targeted restrictive marketing measures.
“De-marketing ” refers to advertising strategies designed to reduce the demand for a product from a specific target group – for example, the city of Amsterdam.
In Lisbon and Palma de Mallorca, the housing market has long been disconnected from the needs of residents and economic realities.
Response: No new rental licenses will be issued to online short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb.
Mallorca has set a time limit for tourist rental housing.
Barcelona has taken a more radical step: the city ’ s 10,000 vacation apartment permits for tourists are set to expire in 2028.
The move aims to reduce pressure on the housing market.
Rents in Barcelona have risen by more than 60% in the past decade.
In addition, there will be further restrictions on the scope of cruise activities or additional charges.
From 2021, Venice will no longer allow large cruise ships to sail into its waters in its historic center.
Amsterdam plans to adopt a similar measure in 2026.
This will not only reduce the number of tourists, but also reduce air pollution.
Are tourists bad too?
Similar to Amsterdam, Mallorca wants to shake off the image of a party city.
They hope to reduce the overall number of tourists, and will be more willing to accept those who can afford to spend.
This is known in industry jargon as “high quality tourism ”.
But is this the solution to the problem?
“It ’ s not, ” says Macià Blázquez-Salom, a geography professor and activist.
He is also a resident of Mallorca.
He believes that excessive emphasis on “luxury tourism ” will only exacerbate inequality.
“‘ Party tours ’ and ‘ beach tours ’ are often limited to specific areas and operate on a scale and standardised basis similar to factory production lines, ” Blasker-Salon told Deutsche Welle.
Its immediate impact is often limited to a small part of the city.
In contrast, tourists with high spending power typically have higher demand, consume more water, tend to travel more excursions, and generally have the financial means to purchase property.
“This will further promote gentrification (Gentrifizierung) and with it the possibility of real estate speculation, ” explains Blaske Salon.
"This type of visitor will have a direct impact on the lives of all the residents," the statement said.
Making tourism sustainable
The tourism industry is still largely driven by pure data growth and is delighted with the growing number of visitors each year.
But for residents of places like Barcelona, Venice and Mallorca, further growth is no longer an acceptable option.
Is there a solution?
Peters says keeping visitor numbers within the limits of what cities and communities can afford or as a way to do it.
He said that ecological and social factors should be taken into account when formulating tourism development strategies and management measures.
For tourism to be sustainable, agreements must be reached with airlines, ports and airport operators, which are often driven by overcapacity – that is, by expanding growth.
© 2024 Deutsche Welle Copyright Notice: All content in this article is protected by copyright law and may not be used without special permission from Deutsche Welle.
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Europe's tourism industry, which accounts for 10% of the economy, also brings problems like low wages, overcrowding, and environmental degradation.

Amsterdam has banned new hotels and Barcelona will end vacation apartment permits in 2028 to control tourism and housing pressure.

In the Canary Islands, locals are protesting overtourism, demanding a halt to new hotel constructions and a moratorium on tourist accommodations.

Title:

Content: Today, on April 20, 2024, the Canary Islands are witnessing a widespread protest aimed at challenging the current development model heavily reliant on tourism. This significant event is set to occur simultaneously across all eight islands of the archipelago, as well as in various cities internationally including Málaga, Granada, Madrid, Barcelona, Amsterdam, London, and Berlin. The protests are unified under the slogan “The Canary Islands have a limit.”

Booking.com

The protest aims to reshape the development strategy on the islands, highlighting concerns about the tourism sector’s role in economic disparity and resource consumption. Despite tourism supporting approximately 40% of employment and being a primary contributor to the GDP, it’s also associated with creating inequalities and not distributing wealth effectively among the local population. This is exemplified by the Canary Islands recording their highest tourist numbers alongside their highest poverty rates in both 2017 and 2023.

Organizers clarify that the intent is not to expel tourists or eliminate the industry but to implement limits and conditions, and address governance that prioritizes economic gains over broader interests. Key issues fueling the protests include:

  1. Low Wages and High Poverty Rates: The Canary Islands have some of Spain’s lowest salaries and a significant poverty rate, affecting over 33% of the population. The islands have experienced rapid population growth, particularly in Tenerife and Fuerteventura, exacerbating these issues.
  2. Environmental and Infrastructure Concerns: Despite having numerous protected spaces, the islands face challenges such as insufficient protection agents and underdeveloped infrastructure in health, education, and sanitation. Notably, several islands struggle with untreated wastewater being discharged into the sea.
  3. Housing and Over-Tourism: The spread of holiday homes has dispersed tourists across the islands, impacting local communities by driving up rental prices and displacing residents. This issue is compounded by the government’s initiatives to attract digital nomads, further straining the housing market.
  4. Legal and Regulatory Challenges: Recent government stances on controversial tourism projects, like those on La Tejita beach and Cuna del Alma in Tenerife, have sparked outrage for perceived favoritism towards developers despite legal infractions.

The protest is seen as a venting mechanism for accumulated frustrations with the aim to initiate significant changes in how the islands develop and manage tourism. Proposals include imposing a tourist tax to fund environmental conservation, enacting a moratorium on new tourist accommodations, and establishing residence laws to curb speculative real estate purchases by non-residents.

This protest is part of a broader call to reconsider the islands’ economic models, prioritizing sustainability and equitable growth over mere economic output. This event might mark the beginning of a significant shift in policy and public discourse around tourism and development in the Canary Islands.

The Canary Islands are on track to set a new historical record for tourist arrivals in 2024, continuing a trend of increasing numbers which began in earnest following the pandemic. With official estimates indicating a potential total of around 17 million visitors for the year, this surpasses the previous high of 16.2 million in 2023. These figures are bolstered by a significant recovery in tourism since the slowdown during the COVID-19 years of 2020 and 2021.

This surge in tourism is seen as a double-edged sword. On one hand, it signifies a robust recovery and a boon for the local economy, driven by both foreign and domestic visitors. On the other, it underscores the challenges and pressures faced by the islands, particularly in terms of infrastructure, local community impact, and environmental sustainability. This has led to today’s widespread protests across the Canary Islands under the campaign “Canarias tiene un límite” (The Canary Islands have a limit), highlighting concerns over the sustainability of this growth model.

The protests reflect broader anxieties about the direction of tourism development, which, despite its economic benefits, is perceived to exacerbate local issues such as high poverty rates, environmental degradation, and the displacement of local communities due to rising housing costs. These concerns are amplified by predictions that the influx of tourists may continue to grow, particularly with the diversion of tourists from Eastern Mediterranean destinations affected by geopolitical tensions, such as the conflict in Gaza.

In response to these pressures, there is a growing call for more responsible tourism practices. Organizations like Exceltur advocate for strategies that alleviate the saturation of local spaces and services, promote more sustainable transportation options, and address the social impacts of tourism. This includes managing the explosive growth of vacation rentals, which have significant negative externalities on local residents.

The protests and the ongoing discourse represent a critical juncture for the Canary Islands, as the community seeks to balance the economic advantages of tourism with the need for sustainable development and equitable growth. The outcome of these discussions and the ability of the islands to adapt to these challenges will likely shape the future of tourism and community life in the archipelago.

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The islands expect 17 million visitors in 2024, putting further pressure on local resources and infrastructure.

In Palma de Mallorca, 10,000 people protested against mass tourism, citing unaffordable housing, inflated prices, and strained utilities and services.

Title:

Content: This complicates the lives of local residents, activists say
PHOTO REUTERS
Thousands of people protesting against tourism came out on Sunday to protest in the Spanish city of Palma de Mallorca, Reuters reported.
According to police, about 10,000 people took part in the demonstration.
Protesters carried makeshift models of aircraft and cruise liners, as well as posters saying “No to mass tourism ” and“ Stop private jets. ”
Protest organiser Pere Joan Femenia told Reuters that protesters want fewer tourists on the island.
“Mass tourism makes life harder for locals who can ’ t afford to live on their own island as tourist apartments inflate prices.
Tourists fill beaches and put a strain on utilities in the summer, ” he said, adding that activists are seeking to “reduce mass tourism and prohibit non-residents from buying homes that are used only a few months a year or for speculation purposes. ”
Anti-tourism activists this year also staged a series of protests in Barcelona and other popular holiday destinations such as Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and the Canary Islands, claiming that visitors are raising the cost of housing and making locals unable to afford to live in the city centre.
According to the National Institute of Statistics of Spain, last year the Balearic Islands became the second most popular region of the country among tourists after Catalonia, receiving 14.4 million tourists.
And in the first quarter of this year, 16.1 million people visited Spain, which is 18% more than in the same period last year.
More on the subject:
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The protesters want fewer tourists and a ban on non-resident home buying for speculation.

In Mallorca, 20,000 people protested against excessive tourism, citing harm to public services, natural resources, and affordable housing.

Title:

Content: Thousands protest in Spain's Mallorca against 'excessive tourism'
Last year, a record 17.8 million people visited the Balearic Islands, from mainland Spain and abroad, and the number is expected to be higher this year.
(Getty)
About 20,000 people took to the streets of Palma on the island of Mallorca to protest against excessive tourism, demanding a change in the tourism policy they say harms the Mediterranean island.
Behind a banner that read “Let ’ s change course and put limits on tourism, ” the crowds chanted with one voice, waving banners and colorful flags as they roamed the city ’ s tourist streets, at the invitation of some 80 organizations and civil society groups.
Those who called for the move say the current model puts public services on the verge of collapse, damages natural resources, and makes it difficult for local residents to find housing.
One sign in English read, “Your well-being is our misery, ” while another criticized foreign employees who had moved to the island to work remotely.
Another banner shortened the equation, reading: “This is not tourism phobia, it ’ s numbers: 1,232,014 local residents and 18 million tourists. ”
Last year, a record 17.8 million people visited the Balearic Islands, from mainland Spain and abroad, and the number is expected to be higher this year.

The protesters are demanding a more sustainable tourism policy that prioritizes local communities.

In the Canary Islands, thousands have protested against mass tourism, citing depletion of resources, poverty, and unaffordable housing for locals.

Title:

Content: Thousands protest in Spain's Canary Islands over mass tourism

People took to the street in the Canary Islands to protest unsustainable tourism Copyright EBU
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By Euronews with EBU
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Protestors are calling for a freeze on tourists, arguing that the current model has made life unaffordable and environmentally unsustainable for residents.

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Thousands of people protested in Tenerife on Saturday calling for the Spanish island to temporarily limit tourist arrivals.

Holding placards reading "People live here" and "We don't want to see our island die", they're urging for a stem to short-term holiday rentals and hotel construction which are driving up housing costs for locals.

The protesters are being backed by environmental groups including Greenpeace, WWF, Ecologists in Action, Friends of the Earth and SEO/Birdlife.

"We are not against tourism, we are against a model that has led us to the deterioration of our land, of our people because the profits and growth of tourism are not reflected in society," said Rosario Correa, Secretary of the 'Salvar Chira-Soria' platform.

Eleven individuals from Canarias se Agota have been fasting for a week in objection to the erection of two expansive luxury projects in southern Tenerife, which they deem unlawful and entirely superfluous.

According to the police, approximately 20 thousand people participated in the protests, yet organisers claimed the number to be nearer to 50 thousand as reported by Spain’s TVE public television.

Rosario Correo, one of the demonstrators, told TVE, “Our stance isn't anti-tourism. We simply advocate for a shift from this framework that permits boundless expansion of tourism.”

Demonstrators also assembled in Madrid and Barcelona to express solidarity with the protests in the Canary Islands.

In 2023 the islands welcomed 13.9 million visitors, while their resident population stands at 2.2 million. Tourism contributes approximately 35 per cent to the archipelago’s GDP, generating €16.9bn in 2022 alone.

However, locals argue that the industry is depleting natural resources and driving up rental prices, making them increasingly unaffordable.

Data from Spain’s National Statistics Institute reveal that 33.8 per cent of individuals in the Canaries face poverty or social exclusion, marking the highest proportion compared to any region except Andalucía.

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‘My misery, your paradise’: Canary Island residents say mass tourism is at breaking point

The protesters are calling for a more sustainable tourism approach that prioritizes local communities.

Tourism contributes 8% to global emissions, significantly degrading the environment.

Title:

Content: Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
I'm sorry.
Mohamad Elbaz
Editor-in-Chief
Wael Lotfy
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
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The Guardian: Tourism contributes significantly to the climate crisis
It is a terrible paradox of the climate crisis that some of the most beautiful – and popular – places in the world are also the most vulnerable, especially as most of them have poor infrastructure, which means that with rising temperatures, increasing weather extremes, drying up water sources and the death of natural habitats, these places face another devastating loss, especially tourists.
Tourism contributes significantly to the climate crisis – around 8% of global emissions – and hordes of visitors cause many problems, including excessive development and degradation of natural areas.
The revenue generated by tourists can bring enormous economic benefits to these destinations, and many do not own other forms of industry or otherwise rely on extractive industries such as mining or logging.
She added that tourism can also spread awareness of environmental problems, such as bleaching coral reefs or endangered animal species, and provide funding for conservation efforts.
This complex relationship was highlighted during the coronavirus outbreak, when tourism stopped, carbon emissions dropped, wildlife flourished, and leatherback turtles in Thailand laid the largest number of eggs in two decades, but all this has come at a cost, with the global tourism industry taking a heavy toll, triggering an emergency in developing countries, families struggling to find food, illegal logging in some places has increased, and overfishing has increased.
As the rebuilding of tourism begins, it has become impossible to ignore that the future of the industry is inextricably linked to the climate crisis.
Instead of becoming a major cause of the climate crisis, tourism can be used to raise awareness, increase tourism resources and improve infrastructure.

Excessive visitor numbers degrade natural areas and habitats.

Rising temperatures and poor infrastructure worsen environmental issues at popular destinations.

Tourism revenue brings economic benefits and supports conservation efforts.

The absence of tourism can positively impact the environment by reducing carbon emissions and helping wildlife flourish.

To address overtourism, cities like Barcelona have introduced tourist taxes to reduce visitor numbers and alleviate pressure on public services.

Cities like Amsterdam and Venice have introduced measures to control tourism, including hotel bans and tourist entry fees.

Some destinations have implemented sustainable tourism certifications to promote responsible practices and reduce overtourism's negative impacts.

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Content: • En
Taiwan Ecotourism Association and the Forestry Bureau jointly filmed the first online course on sustainable forest tourism talent development
The Forestry Bureau promotes four themes, including “Forest Healing ”,“ Ecological Exploration ”, “Sustainable Tourism ” and“ Humanistic Dialogue ”, as well as 38 tourism products at the 2022 Taipei International Travel Exhibition.
Large group photo (Source: Taiwan English News)
The Taiwan Ecotourism Association (TAITA) today (29) held a "Sustainable Forest Tourism Promotion Symposium" at the Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan. Lin Hua-ching, director of the Forestry Bureau, said that before the epidemic, they hoped to prepare a culture or ecology based on mountain and forest resources.
In an interview with Taiwan News, Guo Yuren, president of the Taiwan Ecotourism Association, said that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and COP26 are very concerned about the so-called sustainable tourism promotion thinking.
It is hoped that through the travel companies present today, we will jointly promote the implementation of "responsible eco-tourism" through the relevant experience of promoting eco-sustainable tourism in the past.
Kuo Yu-jen explains that the concept of "responsible eco-tourism" is basically concerned with the three aspects promoted by eco-tourism. The first is to let tourists have a deep experience to understand the possibility of the environment. It is an intellectual and emotional journey, and it is also part of in-depth tourism.
The second is the community, responsible eco-tourism in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is to enable the community to have good income, and then there can be opportunities for sustainable development, so the purpose of promoting eco-tourism is not to want tourists to travel there, can allow some future development of income, improve the development of accommodation and shopping.
Third, such travel behavior, is not to impact the environment; in order to achieve overall responsible thinking.
Guo Yuren explained that in 2021 COP26, it was already clearly mentioned that the travel industry is 8% of the world's carbon emissions, so the global development of sustainable tourism guidelines (GSTC) has been jointly with the relevant international units of the Asian Eco-Tourism Alliance (AEN), hoping that member countries can sign the "travel industry carbon emission reduction thinking".
Although Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations and has no way to participate in the Committee on Climate Change, they feel that they should do their part in the global village. Therefore, from the thinking of COP26, they proposed the so-called "responsible eco-tourism" and also today, with the part of the travel industry, hope to jointly promote the relevant possibilities.
Guo Yuren pointed out that in the past, the Ecotourism Association has held many lectures and training, because the courses are very solid and concentrated, and so that all people in a short time, together for many days to participate in the physical courses, which is very hard work.
This time, with the assistance of the Forestry Bureau, 60 hours of online course videos were filmed, and Taiwanese scholars and experts were invited, including 9 directors of the management office and relatively skilled senior officials, to make an overall tour of the characteristics of the Forestry Bureau's 26 sports venues for the travel industry.
The Taiwan Ecotourism Association added that the Forestry Bureau at the 2022 Taipei International Travel Exhibition will promote the theme of “Forest Healing ”,“ Ecological Exploration ”, “Sustainable Tourism ” and“ Humanistic Dialogue ”, and 38 kinds of tourism products. The connotation of forest eco-tourism is an important work for the future development of sustainable forest tourism.
Photo courtesy of the Forest Service.
Photo taken from the presentation. (Photo courtesy of Taiwan Ecotourism Association)
Heavyweight Instructor. (Photo courtesy of Taiwan Ecotourism Association)
Photo taken from the presentation. (Photo courtesy of Taiwan Ecotourism Association)
Updated: 2022-12-29 17: 58 GMT + 08: 00

Technology can help manage tourist taxes and promote sustainable tourism.

Title:

Content: European Tourism Data Sharing: Opportunities and Challenges

Cultivating Europe's Tourism Potential: A Journey towards a Common Data Space. Image: Shutterstock/ Mopic

TOURISM is a significant economic driver for the European Union, contributing to GDP, job creation, and cultural exchange. In recent years, data-driven technologies and digitalisation have transformed various sectors, including tourism. To harness the full potential of data in the tourism industry, the European Commission is taking proactive steps toward establishing a Common European Data Space for Tourism which was introduced by the European Commission at the end of July. This ambitious initiative aims to facilitate data sharing, interoperability, and collaboration among stakeholders to drive innovation, sustainability, and growth in the tourism ecosystem. In this article, we will delve into the key elements, objectives, and challenges surrounding this data space, followed by a discussion on the pros and cons of its implementation.

The Objectives of the Common European Data Space for Tourism

The primary objectives of the Common European Data Space for Tourism are to foster innovation, support data-driven decision-making for sustainability, enhance services and offers, and facilitate better access to data sources for producing statistical information. The tourism sector faces specific challenges related to data sharing, such as interoperability, access to data, and the provision of data by public and private stakeholders. To address these challenges, the data space aims to establish technical standards, governance models, and incentives to encourage data sharing among stakeholders.

The Key Enablers of the Data Space

The success of the data space hinges on several key enablers, including interoperability, data control, governance, technical data infrastructure, openness, and cybersecurity. Interoperability is crucial as the tourism sector draws data from various domains and sectors. The data space aims to ensure that data can be accessed, shared, and used in a lawful, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner. Technical standards and a governance model are being developed to guide data-sharing agreements and ensure compliance with EU rules and values.

The Role of the Private Sector

The private sector, including businesses and data intermediaries, plays a vital role in the success of the data space. Many platforms are already voluntarily sharing their accommodation data with Eurostat for producing European statistics. The European Commission supports non-personal data-sharing agreements initiated by the private sector and encourages the use of user-friendly tools for SMEs and destinations. The Code of Conduct for data sharing in tourism, developed by private stakeholders with Commission support, fosters trust and provides guidance for data sharing agreements.

Support for SMEs and Destinations

The European Commission is committed to supporting SMEs and destinations in transitioning to data space. Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) and the European Enterprise Network (EEN) offer technical expertise, financing advice, and skills development to SMEs. Meanwhile, the EU Competence Centre will support destinations in implementing data-driven management strategies. The Commission emphasises the importance of tailoring the data space to local specificities and requirements.

The Testing Phase and Future Prospects

The European Commission plans to initiate a case to test the enablers of the tourism data space and gather valuable feedback from stakeholders. Member States will explore the possibility of setting up an EDIC to manage the data space, and additional funding under the Digital Europe Programme will be allocated for its development. By 2025, the data space is expected to integrate unique identifiers, semantic rules, and technical interoperability standards to support data sharing across the EU.

Pros of the Common European Data Space for Tourism:

Innovation and Growth: The data space will encourage innovation and foster the development of new services and offerings, leading to growth in the tourism sector.

Sustainability: Data-driven decision-making will enable authorities and destinations to manage tourism flows sustainably, reducing environmental and social impacts.

Enhanced Data Access: SMEs and smaller destinations will have improved access to diverse data sources, levelling the playing field and promoting inclusivity.

Better Statistical Information: The data space will enhance the availability of data sources for producing statistical information, facilitating evidence-based policy-making.

Collaboration and Synergy: The collaboration between public and private stakeholders will create synergies and maximize the benefits of data sharing.

Cons of the Common European Data Space for Tourism:

Data Privacy Concerns: Data sharing may raise privacy concerns, and stakeholders must ensure compliance with GDPR and data protection regulations.

Technical and Implementation Challenges: Establishing technical standards and ensuring seamless data interoperability across different systems can be complex and time-consuming.

Cost and Resource Requirements: Building and maintaining the data space infrastructure may require significant investment and resources.

Lack of Participation: The success of the data space depends on active participation from all stakeholders, and some may be hesitant to share data due to competitive reasons or other concerns.

The Common European Data Space for Tourism is a visionary initiative that holds great promise for the European tourism industry. By fostering innovation, sustainability, and collaboration, it has the potential to transform the sector and improve services for tourists and stakeholders alike. While challenges exist, the commitment of the European Commission and the active engagement of all relevant actors can lead to the successful development of the data space, shaping the future of tourism in Europe.

Click here for the full communication from the commission

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Do remember to come back and check The Euro Weekly News website for all your up-to-date local and international news stories and remember, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Community engagement is crucial in addressing overtourism, as seen in Gwynedd Council and Snowdonia National Park Authority's Memorandum of Understanding on sustainable tourism.

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Content: InYourArea Community

Communities in Gwynedd and Snowdonia to benefit from sustainable tourism

Two authorities will cooperate to ensure that the visitor economy will not damage the area's culture and environment.

By InYourArea Community

The Caernarfon Food Festival is among the visitor attractions which will promote the area's culture

Submitted by Gwynedd Council

Gwynedd Council and Snowdonia National Park Authority have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on sustainable tourism to formalise their commitment to working together.

The two authorities intend that the people, environment, language and culture of Gwynedd and Snowdonia will benefit from all aspects of the visitor economy.

This commitment follows years of collaboration in the field - both before the pandemic and during the Covid period. The partners will continue to work together on this key agenda and stage a conference at the end of the month to discuss the next steps to embed the vision.

Leader of Gwynedd Council, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn, said:

"Any visitor economy must ensure that the people and communities of Gwynedd are central to it and benefit from it.

"I am delighted that the Council and the Park have agreed a joint vision for sustainable tourism for the future, with a particular emphasis on our language, culture and heritage.

"We want to ensure that the visitor economy benefits our communities and protects our environment and wildlife, while maximising the benefits to Gwynedd's communities and businesses.

"The last 18 months have highlighted the need for us as authorities to continue our joint working to ensure that our area benefits from tourism - on our terms.

"What is key is that we are able to secure truly sustainable tourism and that the area is in no way losing out from the visitor economy. We want to see local people benefit from good sustainable jobs in the field all year round.”

Councillor Wyn Jones, Chairman of Snowdonia National Park Authority added:

“It is very important to see Local Authorities working together to protect our communities by nurturing our economy and local businesses.

“This work will conserve the core features that define the National Park through its wonderfully unique qualities.

“The Authority and Gwynedd Council are committed to doing the best for the people who live and work in the area by promoting sustainable tourism which also in turn addresses the effects of climate change.”

As part of ensuring a shared vision of a sustainable visitor economy for Gwynedd and Eryri, the authorities are staging a virtual conference on 30 November 30. It will welcome representatives from local communities, businesses working in the field and experts on sustainable tourism.

The conference will include presentations by international tourism expert Professor Terry Stevens, along with a representative from the Isle of Arran to highlight how to balance community, environment and the visitor economy.

Addressing overtourism requires a multi-faceted approach involving government policies, community engagement, and sustainable tourism practices.

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Sedona Film Festival presents ‘Crowded Out’

“Crowded Out” is a powerful short documentary exploring over-tourism, featuring interviews with local residents and global experts. (Image provided by SIFF)

Originally Published: September 14, 2022 8:43 p.m.

The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the third film in its four-week Sustainable Tourism Film Series. “Crowded Out: The Story of Overtourism” will show on Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre at 4 p.m. The event will also include a selection of “Sustainable Travel: Where Next?” short films along with a panel discussion.

“Crowded Out” is a powerful short documentary exploring overtourism, featuring interviews with local residents and global experts.

Overtourism occurs when there are too many visitors to a particular destination. When rent prices push out local tenants to make way for holiday rentals, when narrow roads become jammed with tourist vehicles, when tourists cannot view landmarks because of the crowds – these are all signs of overtourism.

And it is the backlash from local residents that has made overtourism news. Cities such as Barcelona, Venice and Dubrovnik, and places once thought of as remote such as Iceland and Skye have suffered firsthand, and the protests by local residents have spread.

There has been decades of virtually uncontrolled growth, and it has crossed a threshold: in many destinations, tourism now demonstrably creates more problems than benefits.

This special event will also include a selection of short films from “Sustainable Travel: Where Next?” This series includes short-form documentary films, featuring insightful stories from the global travel and tourism sector showing how they are driving sustainable travel and protecting these precious destinations.

Following the screenings, there will be a panel discussion with representatives the City of Sedona, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, Keep Sedona Beautiful and the tourism and hospitality industry here.

“Crowded Out: The Story of Overtourism” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. For tickets and more information, please call 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.

The final film in the Sustainable Tourism Series is:

Thursday, Sept. 29 at 4 p.m. “Vendemmia”

Overtourism has far-reaching negative impacts on the environment, local communities, and the economy in tourist areas.

Overtourism creates more problems than benefits, driving up rent, displacing locals, and worsening congestion and pollution.

Protesters in the Canary Islands are demanding a tourist freeze due to unaffordable living and environmental degradation.

The Canary Islands' tourism industry accounts for 35% of GDP, yet 33.8% of locals face poverty or social exclusion.

Tenerife has 40% of jobs in hospitality, but its population density of nearly 1,000 people per square kilometer strains resources and infrastructure.

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Content: Advertisement

Tourism For Members

'The island can't take it anymore': Why Tenerife is rejecting mass tourism

Alex Dunham - [email protected]

Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands exemplifies the damage mass tourism can cause whilst still creating jobs and driving the economy, from overpopulation to overexploitation. This is why thousands took to the streets on Saturday to denounce the real culprits.

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Upon casting his eyes on the Orotava Valley, Alexander von Humboldt wrote: “I have tears in my eyes. I wish I could live here”.

The year was 1799 and the German naturalist known as the “father of modern geography” was one of the first of many million foreigners to fall for the natural charms of Tenerife, the biggest of the Canary Islands.

Conquered by the Kingdom of Castille over the course of the 15th century, Tenerife and the other seven Canary Islands have always had largely single-industry economies: first it was cochineal dye, then sugar cane, followed by bananas and since the 1960s mass tourism.

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Their all-year-round balmy weather ensured their success among sun-starved northern Europeans, and as Spanish dictator Francisco Franco’s policy of fixing prices low meant more and more tourists came, Tenerife’s rampant development continued, and never really stopped.

Currently 35 percent of the Canary Islands’ GDP comes from tourism and roughly 40 percent of jobs are linked to hospitality.

Tenerife receives the bulk of holidaymakers, 6.5 million of the 14 million that visited the eight-island archipelago in 2023. Therefore it compounds the problems of the Canaries better than any of the other seven isles.

Tourist numbers have been putting increasing pressure on a 2,000-square-kilometre island that already houses just short of a million people. At current rates, the island is gaining 1,200 residents every month, most of them foreign nationals.

There’s an increasing sense among tinerfeños (locals of Tenerife) that the island has reached breaking point and that the Canary political establishment only cares about catering to tourists, even though the profits aren’t staying on the island and locals are being relegated to second-class citizenship.

As half of Tenerife’s territory is protected non-urban land, the population density - when you include tourists and residents - is now higher than Japan’s at almost 1,000 people per square kilometre.

Referred to in the Canary press as the “demographic challenge”, there are fears of another total blackout due to an increasingly strained electrical grid.

Despite the overdevelopment of Tenerife, there are still places of immense natural beauty, such as Spain's highest peak Mount Teide. Photo: Bert Christiaens/Pexels

Abnormally hot and dry weather has also forced the Tenerife government to declare a drought emergency as a means of guaranteeing the water supply of locals and holidaymakers when the summer arrives. Such conditions caused Tenerife’s worst wildfire in 40 years last year

Traffic jams and a lack of parking spots are a daily pain for thousands, as there are almost as many cars as there are people on Tenerife - 818.9 vehicles for every 1,000 inhabitants.

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Tenerife is running out of space and poorly planned development during previous decades, which has already ruined once pristine coastal locations, is worsening the current lack of housing crisis.

Property prices and rents increased in the Canary Islands more than in any other Spanish region in 2023, even though Canary salaries are the second lowest in the country.

The proliferation of Airbnb-style holiday lets, up 25 percent across the Canaries in 2023 alone, has reduced the amount of properties to rent for locals and kept prices high, with higher-earning foreign digital nomads often the only ones capable of affording them.

A protester holds a banner which reads "If we live off tourism, why are we poor?" during April 20th mass protest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Photo: Alex Dunham

It’s within this multifaceted context of discontent that tens of thousands of canarios took the streets of their capital cities on Saturday April 20th, as did other protesters in cities such as London, Amsterdam and Berlin, all under the slogan “The Canaries have a limit”.

The biggest number gathered in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, around 60,000, with placards reflecting mixed opinions over who is to blame.

 A few did regurgitate the “tourists go home” message that has made international headlines for the apparent ‘tourismphobia’ that’s raging in other parts of Spain.

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Nevertheless, for the most part protesters made sure to clarify that they are not blaming tourists for the islands’ “collapse” or “oversaturation” but rather the mass tourism model that the government has allowed to grow uncontrollably.

As one banner read, “it’s not the guiri’s fault, it’s the fault of the corrupt politician”.

“Yes to tourism, but not like this”, “if we live off tourism why are we poor?”, “My grandparents’ home won’t be an Airbnb”, “dying of success is a failure” and “no more cement” were some of the countless other messages locals wanted to get across to the eyes of the world.

“We’re not saying that there shouldn't be tourism, but that there be limits to tourism,” said Felipe Ravina, a filmmaker whose documentary Salvar Tenerife (Save Tenerife) has illustrated what overexploitation has caused, from gallons of faecal matter spewing into sea every day to the destruction of Tenerife’s biodiversity.

Ravina was one of the driving forces of the 20A protests together with the group Salvar La Tejita - whose members went on hunger strike over the construction of a hotel in one of the last remaining unspoilt beaches in the south of Tenerife.

“What we’re calling for with the tourism moratorium is not one single hotel bed more,” Ravina told RTVE broadcaster.

“The island can’t take it anymore. We’re a place with limited space and limited resources.

“This protest isn’t against tourism but against the political classes that haven’t done anything over the past decades to solve the problem of Tenerife’s collapse and now we’re worse off than ever.”

More

See Also

The island is under a drought emergency and faces traffic and parking issues.

Property prices and rents have risen significantly due to Airbnb-style holiday lets.

60,000 people protested in Santa Cruz, demanding limits on tourism to preserve resources and space.

Spain attracted 85 million visitors in 2023, including 7.8 million in Barcelona, underscoring the need for sustainable tourism.

Title:

Content: Global News
The world today - spraying with water guns..
Are tourist expulsions spreading in Europe?
You are now following the news of spraying with water guns.
Are tourist expulsions spreading in Europe?
From the World News section and now we leave you with the full details
SAHAD MOHAMMED - Abu Dhabi on Friday 19 July 2024 04: 25 PM - Spain's tourism unrest has reached its peak in the past few days, with some locals in Barcelona spraying tourists with water guns and canned drinks, asking them to go back to where they came from.
Angry residents, numbering about 3,000, blocked the entrances to hotels and cafes in the Barceloneta neighborhood in a symbolic attempt to express their indignation at the excessive tourist overcrowding in their city.
This is not the first time tourism has been highlighted as a problem in Spain, where the country, which attracted 85 million visitors in 2023, has seen a series of protests against excessive tourism in the country, especially in the city of Barcelona with a population of 1.6 million, which received more than 7.8 million visitors in 2023, leaving many locals unable to afford to live there due to high rental prices.
Fear of Protests in Europe
Spain ’ s overcrowding problem, and the decision to confront it by locals, has highlighted the potential for anti-tourist protests to spread to the rest of Europe ’ s heavily tourist-ridden cities, as UNESCO ’ s Sustainable Tourism Project chief Peter Debrin warned.
The protests will certainly spread if European officials fail to address the negative impact of mass tourism on the lives of the local population, DeBrin says, noting that the situation in Spain has become very volatile, as the coming of civil society and its attempt to bring about change is critical, after all elected officials must respond to what the residents of their cities want.
He cited the 2021 ban on large cruise ships in Venice, Italy, which was passed after protests by residents, as cruise ships no longer pass through the Grand Canal, but are now docked away from Venice, helping to preserve the city ’ s structural and environmental integrity.
But despite the decision to ban large cruise ships in Venice, passengers continue to flock to its narrow lanes in the thousands, with Venice expected to attract about 540,000 cruise passengers this year, an increase of 9 percent compared to 2023, according to the North Adriatic Ports Authority.
In a bid to reduce crowds, Venice has imposed a 5 euro ($5.45) tourist tax on peak days this year, a measure that has so far failed to rein in tourist numbers, Euronews reported.
Quality rather than quantity tourism
Like Venice, Barcelona residents have long struggled with the global popularity of their city: every year, fewer locals say tourism benefits the city, while more people feel it is harmful, according to a survey conducted by the Barcelona City Council in 2023.
UNESCO ’ s Sustainable Tourism Project Chief Officer Peter Debrin believes that Barcelona, which handles too many travelers, could join cities and countries that rely on a “quality over quantity ” tourism strategy – prioritizing high-spending travelers, rather than budget ones – a strategy that gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, when safety and employment concerns pushed destinations around the world to take in fewer affordable travelers. Instead of a lot of budget travelers.
Debrin said Barcelona ’ s reliance on a “quality rather than quantity ” tourism strategy helps correct another problem plaguing the city: tourists who behave badly, noting that for Barcelona residents, it ’ s not just about visitor numbers, but also how people behave, with Spaniards complaining for years about tourists drinking too much, throwing garbage and cigarettes on the streets.
Debrin called on tourists to be more aware in their travel decisions, suggesting focusing on beautiful cities with fascinating tourist and cultural attractions, which are in need of more tourists.
Civil Society Demands
Civil society groups are calling on Barcelona officials to implement a number of policies aimed at “declining tourism growth, ” such as increased tourism taxes, restrictions on cruise ships, and restrictions on short-term rental housing, just like the steps being explored in Amsterdam to crack down on buses, boutiques, new hotels and short-term rentals. In 2023, it asks some visitors, especially young British tourists, to“ stay away ” if they are travelling to the city for drugs or partying.
The most popular Spanish cities with tourists
The General Coordinator of the Association of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Mediterranean States (ASCAME) Anwar Zebawi, said in an interview to the site "Economy dot Gulf", that some tourist destinations in Spain already suffer from the problem of overcrowding, and these destinations are Barcelona, Malaga, Madrid and Valencia, as these four cities attract tourists more than their capacity, and the problem is that the largest number of these tourists, come in specific months of the year. Sixty percent of all tourists who visit Barcelona each year do so during the months between July and September, creating severe congestion, while the other 40 percent is spread over the rest of the year.
Amplify for protests
Zibawi stressed that what everyone should realize, is that there is a kind of amplification of the recent protests in Barcelona,   the city has not witnessed "major" demonstrations against tourists, as the problem of the local population is never with tourists, and the people who have been sprayed with water, very few and may not exceed the fingers of one hand, pointing out that what happened was directed against those who rent houses as hotel houses. Real estate, largely, deprived the local population, especially young people, of the possibility of obtaining apartments at an appropriate rental price.
Causes of tourist overcrowding in Barcelona
Zibawi explains that one of the reasons that contribute to excessive tourist congestion in Barcelona,   is to allow tourists to stay in tourist houses and chaos in this area, the city contains about 10 thousand houses that have a license to do these works, while there are about 30 thousand hotels operating without a license and in a way contrary to the law, the offer of houses for rent at competitive prices, in addition to cheap flights available in Europe make the cost of travel to Barcelona tourist destinations. This has exacerbated the phenomenon of excessive tourism.
European cities where protests could spread
According to Zibawi, the European cities that can witness objections from the local population because of their suffering from excessive tourism, are Rome, Venice, some Italian islands, Crete in Greece, and some other Greek islands, while Amsterdam in the Netherlands, suffer from the problem of excessive tourism only, in some weeks of the year, especially at the end of the year. year.
Paris found a solution.
Zibawi pointed out that Paris had a major problem with the subject of overcrowding of tourists, and therefore prevented the work of hotel houses and raised the prices of hotels, where she saw that these steps contribute to making the cost of travel high, which prevents the tourist who does not have enough money to come, and this limits the phenomenon of overcrowding, pointing out that if the principle of quality tourism instead of quantity in Barcelona, this may solve the problem of overcrowding and contribute to the distribution of tourists in other areas. Spain.
Solutions that can be resorted to
For his part, Amer Daboussi, executive partner of Eagle Travel Travel, said in an interview with Eqtisad.al-Khaleej that cities suffering from tourist congestion can face this phenomenon by adopting a policy of "quality rather than quantity", where this policy focuses on imposing high standards of hospitality to attract rich or well-resourced tourists, and get rid of the large numbers of tourists from the middle category. h its reception, which reduces the negative effects on the local community.
Dabbousi believes that cities can also resort to the solutions of imposing tourism taxes on foreign visitors, raising hotel prices, restricting the work of hotel house rental applications by imposing financial fees on these apartments and using the revenues collected to improve infrastructure in tourist areas, in addition to the need for affected countries to market new tourist destinations within them, which contributes to attracting visitors to areas outside the main tourist centers.
Excessive damage from tourism
Cities facing the challenges of overcrowding, such as Bangkok in Thailand, Paris in France and New York in the United States, as well as some Greek and Spanish cities, must take measures to manage tourism sustainably and distribute tourism pressure in a way that preserves the quality of life of local residents and respects local culture. Eat and drink, making life more expensive for local residents.
We hope that we have succeeded in conveying the full details of the spraying with water guns..
Are tourist expulsions spreading in Europe?
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The city has introduced a tourist tax, but more needs to be done to manage the crowds.

UNESCO's Sustainable Tourism Project promotes quality tourism, with civil society groups seeking higher taxes and restrictions.

Cities can adopt a quality over quantity policy to reduce overtourism's negative effects, but more action is needed.

Excessive tourism damages local culture and quality of life, necessitating sustainable practices.

Hawaii received 10.4 million visitors in 2019, causing harm to its natural and cultural resources due to overtourism.

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Hawaii faces economic and environmental challenges
As Hawaii ’ s tourism industry rebounded after it was effectively shut down during the pandemic, local politicians, communities, and business leaders revived the central issue of tourism policy discussion: How many visitors are considered too many?
Natalia Hussey-Burdick, a member of the summer state House of Representatives and vice chair of the House Committee on Tourism, has introduced a bill calling for a study of Hawaii ’ s tourist capacity.
The effort comes amid growing concerns about illegal vacation rentals, transportation, and threats to marine life and the environment. “In fact, this is a longstanding concern for all Hawaiian islands and communities. ”
However, not everyone agrees that Hawaii needs research to quantify the tourism industry. In 2019, Hawaii received 10.4 million visitors, which is considered too many, and the tourism industry in Hawaii is overloaded.
Broadly speaking, capacity is the maximum number of visitors a destination can receive without irreparable damage to the environment, infrastructure and community.
Community and environmental groups see this as critical, as do hotel executives, who argue that hosting too many visitors will harm Hawaii ’ s natural and cultural resources, as well as the “aloha spirit, ” and that tourism will be at risk if Hawaii loses those resources and tourists don ’ t want to return.
Hawaii policy makers have worked to address concerns about overtourism.
Before the pandemic, city officials tried to understand the situation of Kailua and Lanikai as tourist destinations, studying the shift from a focus on passenger capacity to a perception of tourism among residents, who were dissatisfied with the daily average of about 15,161 tourists in the two places.
Research shows that more than 65% of residents surveyed in the second half of 2019 agree or strongly agree that tourism increases traffic flow, costs of living, and disrupts the small-town atmosphere.
The same proportion of respondents believe that holiday rentals reduce the supply of housing for locals, and that government decisions on tourism generally benefit tourists rather than local people.
The report was published in June 2020 and received little attention.
At the height of the epidemic, Hawaii closed tourism, tens of thousands of hotel workers lost their jobs, and the unemployment rate was about 17%.
However, in the wake of the pandemic, Hawaii welcomed 9.2 million visitors in 2022, which has recovered to nearly 90% of 2019.
Hawaii hotel operator Jerry Gibson observed that when tourist rental growth, especially in Oahu, is the main reason for the increase in visitor numbers, up to 10 million people, the number of new hotel rooms is small, unable to supply demand, "hotel and tourist rental capacity is different."
Some people believe that the overloading of tourism is not the most important thing, but the threat to the health of the ecosystem. In 2022, the residents of the northern coast of Oahu face an environmental crisis in the Marine Life Reserve, so they are promoting projects that do not focus on tourist capacity but on the impact of tourism on the environment.
Tourism Hawaii also develops a Destination Management Action Plan for each island.
The Oahu community expects to reduce the impact by improving infrastructure and management, and limiting the number of visitors to tourist hotspots.
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Hawaii's tourism rebounded to 9.2 million visitors in 2022, but overtourism threatens its ecosystem.

The Destination Management Action Plan aims to reduce tourism impact, but more action is needed.

Tourist taxes have been introduced in countries like Russia to support local communities and conservation efforts.

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“Develop infrastructure ”: tourist tax will receive the status of local tax
Dean Zasko called the local tax a way to improve infrastructure
The tourist tax will receive the status of a local tax – this proposal of the Ministry of Finance was approved today by deputies in the second reading of the draft amendments to the Tax Code of the Russian Federation.
It is expected that in this way the regions will receive more independence and funds for the development of local tourism.
The tax will be paid from 2025.
When drawing up the “tourist tax ”, the Ministry of Finance took into account the views of all parties in the methodological preparation of the regulatory framework.
As a result: the presented model of tourism taxation fully takes into account broad groups of interests.
We receive a new (relative to the resort fee) tax model of transparent taxation of tourism, without increasing tax pressure on representatives of the tourism industry, but forming an additional tax revenue base for municipalities.
It is all about the mechanism of calculation and payment of tax.
Representatives of the hotel business now act as nothing more than a link between visitors paying tax in the bill for accommodation, and the budget.
And here it is worth noting a very, very important financial nuance, which is a bonus help for hotels.
And this nuance is that the transfer of tax to the budget should occur at the end of the tax period, which is the quarter, and the tax from guests will be charged throughout the quarter.
That is, there is a shift in time between receipt and transfer, which means that the hotel business actually receives these tax amounts for some circulating use, and interest-free.
As for us – consumers of hotel services and final payers of the future tax, here the government structures have found a way to balance the interests of the consumer and the budget.
The thing is that, unlike the resort fee, the tourist tax will be paid not by the number of residents, but by the number of hotel rooms, which significantly reduces the tax burden for a single holidaymaker.
It is impossible not to say about the socio-economic role of the legislative innovation in question.
Russia is the richest country not only in terms of natural resources, but also in terms of the number of unique historical and climatic places of potential tourist attraction.
However, our country still lacks a high level of infrastructure and service development, due, among other things, to the lack of economic support from local authorities.
It is the tourist tax that is designed to solve this problem and should have a beneficial effect on the development of infrastructure and service base, and as a result on the growth of tourist flow.
Let ’ s not forget that tourism is, among other things, the development of related business areas, as well as the development of transport infrastructure.
In contrast to the resort fee, it is the municipalities that will now decide on the introduction of a tax, the amount of rates, preferential categories of citizens.
It should be noted that the Tax Code lays down categories of citizens from whom this tax will not be levied (this includes children under 18 years of age, members of the SVO and many others), but the municipal authorities will be able to expand this list at their discretion.
The bill also introduces a mechanism that determines the possibility of establishing the amount of tax depending on the categories of rooms and seasonality, since these factors are determining in the industry.
In addition, the document provides for a very accurate increase in tax rates, which makes it more than comfortable to be rebuilt under a full-fledged regime for the fulfillment of tax obligations.
And one more thing: perhaps this is the first time in the history of modern Russia when, as a result of tax amendments, lawmakers are so attentive to the interests of municipalities.
Usually, the local authorities did not get anything from tax amendments at all.
And this is encouraging, because it is the municipalities that are closest to people, their place of residence and pressing problems.
In the work of the municipality, people often judge the effectiveness of the whole state.
The author is Vadim Zasko, Dean of the Faculty of Taxes, Audit and Business Analysis of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.
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Russia's tourist tax is calculated per hotel room, with municipalities deciding on introduction, rates, and exemptions.

Bali levies a $10 tax on foreign tourists to preserve the island and support its culture and environment.

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Content: Global Economic News
Bali starts levying new tax on foreign tourists to preserve island
The Indonesian island of Bali on Wednesday began levying a tax of 150,000 rupees ($10) on tourists, in a move aimed at protecting and preserving the island.
The island's authorities, with its beautiful sandy beaches that welcome millions of foreign tourists every year, want to boost their financial resources to counter the undesirable effects of tourism.
“The introduction of the tax is aimed at protecting Bali ’ s culture and environment, ” Bali Governor Sang Mead said, stressing that paying online would limit queues of visitors to Bali.
The tax should be paid online through the LoveBali website.
The tax will be levied on foreign tourists arriving in Bali from abroad or from other Indonesian regions, a statement said, and will not be levied on Indonesian tourists.
Figures show that Bali received 4.8 million tourists between January and November 2023, while the island ’ s tourism sector, which was negatively affected by the pandemic, continues to recover.
Authorities on the island have vowed to crack down on inappropriate behavior by tourists after several incidents, including foreigners taking off their clothes in temples, and last year the local government issued a guide for tourists in Bali explaining what to avoid.
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Bali's tourism sector is recovering, with a new tax aimed at mitigating negative tourism impacts.

In Scotland, a tourist tax will be introduced for hotels, hostels, and other overnight stays, excluding wild campers.

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Content: Plans to allow councils to charge a tourist tax has passed its first legislative hurdle as a minister suggested the proposal could switch from a percentage to a flat charge.

The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill would allow local authorities to introduce a charge on overnight visitor stays, with the cash raised to be used to benefit tourists.

The legislation proposes the new levy would be a percentage of visitors’ accommodation costs, and would apply to those staying in hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering accommodation, campsites and caravan parks.

Wild campers and people in motorhomes and camper vans who pitch elsewhere would not be covered.

Read more: Scottish councils facing 'unprecedented financial pressures'

The Scottish Government agreed to bring forward the legislation as part of a budget deal agreed with the Greens in 2019, but the Bill was delayed by the Covid pandemic.

SNP Public Finance Minister, Tom Arthur, told MSPs that a percentage of the price of a room offered “simplicity and proportionality”.

But he said that due to industry calls for a flat rate, he will hold talks with the sector and local government to investigate the best way forward.

He said: “We will engage with both local government and industry partners to consider this issue further and we will confirm the government’s position before stage two takes place.”

Mr Arthur added: “This bill is an important measure and if passed will give local authorities a significant new power.

Read more: Analysis: Scottish council funding: Business as usual won't cut it

Twenty-one out of 27 EU countries have already some kind of visitor levy and they are commonplace in other locations throughout the world.

“I strongly believe that a visitor levy can be a force for good – supporting the visitor economy and bringing benefits to visitors, residents and businesses.”

But Scottish Conservative party chairman, Craig Hoy, warned “the government is passing bad laws with what will be damaging consequences”.

He added: “For many businesses, not just hotels and bed and breakfasts, this will undermine their opportunity to bounce back after thee Covid pandemic.

“There will be tourists who come to Scotland on a fixed budget and anything that will be taken off them in the form of this tax will not be spent, for example, in Scotland’s restaurants, cafés, hotels and bars.

“The issue here is that councils will be forced, I think, in many instances, to introduce this charge, because of the SNP’s austerity agenda. The Scottish Government is failing to fund our public services and our councils properly.”

Read more: Tourist tax 'could lead to more anti-social camping' in the Highlands

Scottish Greens finance spokesperson, Ross Greer, welcomed the legislation, which was delayed during the Covid pandemic, being pushed forward.

He said: “We’re incredibly fortunate that Scotland is such an attractive destination for tourists, whether from abroad, from the rest of the UK or our own residents choosing to explore and enjoy their own country for their holidays.

“The growth of our film and TV sector in recent years has resulted in a specific boost to tourist numbers in the various locations used by productions like Outlander and Star Wars. That’s great for our economy, especially in fragile rural communities - but it also puts huge pressure on those communities and on public services.”

“Tourism brings money into local economies but councils see very little benefit from that. It’s an entirely reasonable principle that the body providing public toilets, bin collections, leisure facilities and all sorts of other services which tourists make use of is able to recoup those costs. And it's only fair that local residents aren’t left picking up the bill.”

MSPs voted 86 to 30 in favour of the bill passing stage one of its passage through Holyrood.

The tax revenue in Scotland will support public services and conservation, benefiting both tourists and locals.

A proposed tourism tax in Wales could fund local services but may harm the sector and cause job losses.

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Content: Welsh Government has now commissioned research projects into a potential tourism tax for Wales. Labour and Plaid Cymru are pressing on with a consultation on the proposal to allow individual local authorities to introduce a levy on visitors. These are most commonly imposed on nights spent in hotels, B&Bs or self catered holiday lets.

They have come under fire from the sector and Welsh Conservatives for the move to add taxes to the sector, particularly as it follows the pandemic and given the current cost of living crisis that is affecting households and businesses. They say it will damage the sector and lead to job losses.

Ashford Price, a stalwart of the Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions (WAVA), claimed the country’s planned tourism charge reflected an “anti-English” agenda despite fact the proposed charge would apply to any overnight visitor, regardless of what country they came from. The industry brings a substantial economic contribution to Wales with tourism-related expenditure reaching more than £5bn annually in 2019 but also puts pressure on the infrastructure of local communities.

READ MORE:Will the tourism tax be 'catastrophic' for the tourism sector of North Wales?

The Welsh Government has been asked to produce evidence to support the move ahead of a consultation this autumn. Now Minister for Finance and Local Government Rebecca Evans has approved funding for three research projects to support the development of the tourism levy.

They will look at:

  • Research into the economic impacts of a tourism tax in Wales.
  • Overview of the tax systems in other tourism areas around the world where these taxes are in place.
  • Analysis of the demographics of the accommodation sector in Wales.

North Wales Tourism chief executive Jim Jones has said he found it “staggering” that Welsh Government are still talking about a tourism tax.

He said: “A tax on tourism would be a hugely regressive step that would damage and industry that is already reeling after being battered by the pandemic."

Chair of Wales Tourism Alliance Suzy Davies has said that a tourism tax would not help in creating a “welcome to Wales” message that will attract tourists to the country.

“All tourism tax countries have much lower rates of VAT for tourism products in those countries,” she said.

“But the prospect of a 20% VAT rate plus the tourism tax, however modest, is not great news for tourism in GB, let alone Wales.

“And again it does not help us with that ‘Wales really wants you, welcome to Wales’ message that we need to be pushing at the moment.”

Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, said: “Visitor levies are a common feature in tourist destinations internationally. They are an opportunity for visitors to make an investment in local infrastructure and services, which in turn make tourism a success. Without such a levy, local communities face an undue burden to fund local services and provisions on which tourists rely."

Mark Drakeford, Wales’ First Minister, believes a tourism tax can help ease the burden on local ratepayers, who he claims currently underwrite many of the services and facilities that visitors enjoy, from car parks to toilets.

But tourism operators point out that visitors already bring in additional money for local areas. This ranges from extra business rates from tourism related firms to council tax premiums on second homes. There is also the Enhanced Population Grant, which allocates extra money from Welsh Government based on the number of visitors to a county. In addition visitors also pay to use car parks and sometimes toilet facilities - directly helping to fund them.

On the research projects, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The three projects include secondary research on the economic impacts of a tourism levy in Wales; an overview of the tax systems facing the visitor economy in selected countries; and an analysis of the demographics of the accommodation sector in Wales.

“The research will further build the evidence base to inform policy making and ensure any levy brings maximum benefits for local communities, tourists and businesses.”

The tourism tax could ease the burden on locals, but may deter tourists, particularly with the added 20% VAT.

Spain introduces a daily tourist surcharge to fund sustainability projects, varying by accommodation and season.

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Content: UK tourists in Spain have been warned over a new "daily charge" for holidaymakers. Spain has launched a fresh attack on UK holidaymakers' wallets and purses, by introducing a brand-new daily surcharge for some amid the Cost of Living crisis.

Brits heading abroad for a holiday in Spain - be it the Balearic Islands or mainland - have been warned. It has been reported that tourists will now be charged £3 a day in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.

The surcharge will be spent on projects to improve sustainability. And they could be joined by more destinations in Spain, too, with other areas reportedly mulling over introducing levies for holidaymakers and tourists ahead of the spring and summer season.

READ MORE Savers under fire over permanent move and shoppers rage 'what a shame'

The mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, said: “I have always declared myself in favour of it. A tourist, even if he contributes indirectly with his expenses through taxes and revenue on spending, is enjoying city facilities paid for by residents.”

The tourist tax in Catalonia varies depending on the type of accommodation and the season. For a 5-star hotel, the rate is 3.50 euros per night during the high season. In the case of tourist flats, you pay 2.25 euros per night all year round.

he Balearic government introduced the tax as a way to raise funds for sustainable tourism, so they can make efforts to protect the natural beauty of the islands. The tax has faced criticism from many sources including ABTA, but the vice president of the Balearics coalition government Biel Barcelo has described the tax as ‘absolutely necessary’ to conserve the environment.

Jose Maria Bellido, the Mayor of Cordoba, told Europa Press that the city’s historic sites attract more than two million visitors a year. “We are going to reach a point where it is necessary to impose a tourist tax,” he said.

“There are municipalities that understand that it would be positive and I can share that analysis. There are cities in which there is an agglomeration (of tourists) with significant costs for public services of all kinds, such as cleaning, transportation, security, and maintenance. [A tourist tax] may be reasonable].

The tax was criticized by ABTA, but supported by Malaga's Mayor to offset resident costs.

Overtourism is a complex issue requiring a multi-faceted approach to address its negative environmental, community, and economic impacts.

Implementing tourist taxes, certifications, and community engagement can promote sustainable tourism and reduce overtourism's negative impacts.

Technology can help manage tourist taxes and promote sustainable tourism.

Addressing overtourism is necessary.

Addressing overtourism is necessary.