In recent times, cities around the globe have become increasingly vocal about their frustrations with ‘bad tourists,’ leading to a surge in protests against what is being termed ‘Tourismphobia.’ From Barcelona to Venice, local residents are rallying against the negative impacts of mass tourism, which include overcrowding, environmental degradation, and the disruption of everyday life.
These movements highlight a growing demand for sustainable tourism practices and respect for local communities. Taking references from the latest BBC published reports in 2024, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of some of these known cities that are revolting against bad tourists.
Barcelona, Spain
In Barcelona, locals have increasingly taken to the streets to protest against the overwhelming surge of tourists. In 2024, as per the Euronews report, around 3,000 residents, representing over 140 organizations, demonstrated by spraying tourists with water and shouting, “tourists go home“. As per the BBC report, this year in Barcelona, authorities removed a bus route from Google Maps to prevent tourists from overcrowding buses and pushing out elderly locals. To combat these issues, the city council has approved increasing the tourism tax to €4 per person, effective from October 2024.
Venice, Italy
In Venice, locals are increasingly vocal about the negative impacts of overtourism, implementing measures to mitigate the influx. In July 2021, the Italian government banned large ships from the Giudecca Canal to protect Venice’s historic center. This decision came after years of protests against cruise ships and warnings from UNESCO about Venice’s endangered status. The city has introduced a daily tourist tax of €5 per person, aimed at controlling visitor numbers and generating funds for local infrastructure.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam locals are increasingly protesting against bad tourist behavior through various measures and campaigns to manage over-tourism. The city has raised its tourist tax to 12.5% of accommodation costs, the highest in Europe, to curb the influx of visitors and fund infrastructure improvements. As per the BBC report, in 2023, Amsterdam started a campaign telling rowdy young British men to “stay away.” The city is targeting men aged 18 to 35 in the UK with digital ads to discourage them from visiting for sex and drug tourism in order to revolt against bad tourism.
Málaga, Spain
In Málaga, locals are increasingly vocal about their frustrations with bad tourist behavior, leading to visible protests throughout the city. Residents have plastered anti-tourist stickers on walls and doors, expressing sentiments ranging from “this used to be my home” to more explicit messages like “go home”. Local authorities have introduced new restrictions and are considering further measures to manage the influx of visitors and preserve the quality of life for residents.
Ibiza, Spain
Ibiza is a destination place, part of Spain’s Balearic Islands, that has recently imposed alcohol restrictions in the streets in order to control bad tourist behaviors. Protests have become common in the Balearic Islands city of Ibiza, with residents vocally opposing the influx of rowdy tourists. Tourist accommodation prices have been increased to such an extent that locals are not able to afford to live in their own cities. Medical treatments are also delayed because doctors can’t afford to live on the island.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
As per the latest news report, to tackle overcrowding and maintain order, the city of Dubrovnik has enacted strict regulations like prohibiting sleeping and urinating in public, climbing on monuments, and engaging in drunk or drug-related behavior. Additionally, drinking alcohol near protected areas like schools is banned. Violations of these rules can result in hefty fines and potential jail time. These restrictions aim to preserve the city’s cultural sites and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Santorini, Greece
In 2024, Santorini island Mayor Nikos Zorzos introduced caps on daily tourist arrivals to alleviate pressure on local resources and infrastructure. In the summer of 2023, residents of Santorini led the “towel movement,” reclaiming their beaches from the encroachment of sunbeds and beach bars, marking a significant protest against over-tourism. These measures aim to preserve Santorini’s natural beauty and ensure a sustainable tourism model.
Paris, France
In Paris, locals are increasingly vocal against the disruptive impact of mass tourism. Last year, the government announced new limits as Paris, facing a housing shortage partly due to short-term tourist rentals. The city has raised its tourist tax starting in 2024 to fund public transportation improvements and manage the influx of visitors during high-profile events like the upcoming Olympics. French officials are encouraging local citizens to remove their properties on Airbnb listings for short term rentals in the country.
Algarve, Portugal
Recent protests in Portugal have highlighted issues such as environmental degradation and resource depletion. According to the latest reports published by Reuters, the caretaker government has implemented strict water restrictions in Algarve to manage the severe water shortage exacerbated by high tourist numbers. Tourists can face fines from €200 to €36,000 for antisocial behaviors like playing loud music or unauthorized camping in the region.
Reykjavik, Iceland
In Reykjavik, Iceland, locals are increasingly vocal about the negative impacts of bad tourist behavior. In response, Iceland has introduced a tourism pledge that asks visitors to respect nature and avoid actions like off-road driving and littering, which have caused environmental damage. The pledge is part of a broader campaign to promote responsible tourism and protect the island’s delicate ecosystems.
In Florence, Italy, locals are actively protesting against the
Bali, Indonesia
The city of Bali is actively addressing the growing concerns about Tourismphobia, spurred by recent warnings to Australian visitors. The Dailymail reports indicate that the island could see anti-tourist protests similar to those in European hotspots. This stems from local unrest over inappropriate tourist behavior and violations of visa regulations. Bali’s government is working to enforce stricter rules and promote respectful tourism to mitigate these issues and maintain a positive relationship with visitors.
Machu Picchu, Peru
The residents of Machu Picchu have been actively protesting against the privatization of ticket sales and the overwhelming number of tourists. Locals, including tourism operators, initiated an indefinite strike, blocking access to the famous Inca citadel and disrupting tourism significantly. In response to these protests and strikes the authorities have implemented a new ticketing system to limit daily visitors and preserve the site. At Machu Picchu, visitors now will have to choose between two specific time slots to enter.