UK tourists are being cautioned about traveling to certain parts of Europe, where overtourism is making it increasingly difficult for residents to leave their homes safely.
As the busy summer holiday season continues, experts have highlighted the strain that high tourist numbers are placing on local communities.
Overtourism is driving up the cost of living, with basic necessities like rent and food becoming unaffordable for many locals.
In some extreme cases, residents have been forced to move out of their homes altogether.
Rebecca Armstrong, a sustainable tourism specialist at The Travel Foundation, told Wanderlust magazine: “As residents experience the direct impacts of overtourism – and when they feel that tourism is imposed on them, instead of them having a say in how it’s developed and managed – they understandably become more vocal in their calls for change.”
Siobhán Daly, a responsible tourism expert, echoed these concerns.
She said: “Residents of popular tourism destinations deserve to have a high quality of life; unfortunately, this is not always the case in many places.
“And yet, tourism is more likely to become sustainable in a destination where residents are supportive of it.”
Daly stressed the importance of listening to residents and acting on their concerns, saying that this approach allows destination management organisations to address issues before they become too severe.
Armstrong also emphasised the need for collaboration in managing tourism.
She said: “Improving life for residents can offer a better experience for travellers, because crowded sites aren’t pleasant for anyone.
“Likewise, authorities working with communities in less-visited destinations that would like to welcome more tourists is important for making sure that the problem isn’t just inadvertently shifted elsewhere,” she said.
In response to the growing problem of overtourism, several European cities have started taking action.
Amsterdam has introduced measures to curb mass tourism to make the city more livable for its residents.
Venice is also on a mission to reduce the number of day trippers to the Italian city.
Meanwhile, UK tourists have faced protests and demonstrations in Spain, where locals are increasingly frustrated by the effects of overtourism on their communities.
As the impact of overtourism becomes more apparent, experts are urging tourists and travel companies to consider the sustainability of their travel choices and to be mindful of the communities they visit.