Multiple protests against overtourism erupt in southern Europe
發佈日期: 2025-06-16 20:11
TVB News
Southern Europe has long been a popular holiday destination, but activists have recently organised rallies in multiple cities as part of a fight against overtourism.
Hundreds of furious Spaniards marched down the streets in Barcelona on Sunday with large banners that read "Mass Tourism Kills The City."
Organisers billed the event as a show of opposition to demand local authorities to rethink overtourism which they say led to a housing crunch and price hikes.
Some of the protestors even went so far as to squirt water guns at unsuspected foreign tourists, as the tourists seemed to show understanding of their cause.
An American tourist said: "I think that these people are feeling something that is to them very personal and it's perhaps destroying some of their areas."
A smoke canister was set off outside a luxury brand storefront as people put tape across the entrance of a nearby hotel. A hotel manager walked over to cut the tape and had a flaming row with the demonstrators, who soaked him with water guns.
Following the scuffle, some demonstrators set off fireworks, escalating the scenes of chaos to a fever pitch.
Statistics show Barcelona, which has a population of 1.7 million, received 155 million tourists last year.
Increasing short-term tourist rentals were blamed as a factor in driving up local rents by over 30 percent. Traditional stores are also being replaced by those that cater to tourists.
Thousands protested in Mallorca, and many more rallied in other Spanish cities. Meanwhile, similar protests rocked famed scenic spots in Portugal's capital, Lisbon, where some 300 residents chanted "tourists go home" in drumrolls.
Demonstrations in Italy took place in cities including Venice, Genoa, Milan and Palermo.
Europe is expected to reap about 830 billion U.S. dollars in tourism revenues this year, an increase of 11 percent.
