Multiple negative effects are what destinations can expect in the coming years.
According to a survey conducted by CanCocollona accommodation through its social networks, 73% of respondents believe that tourist overcrowding leads to an increase in prices for residents. Barcelona, Mallorca, Ibiza, and other destinations are examples of this. It is a phenomenon that is creating a significant gap between tourists and residents, a situation that is severely affecting the quality of life of local communities. Through social networks, hundreds of people expressed their frustration with the situation:
“We are very concerned about the number of people who arrived on the island this year. The residents are the most affected. I have even considered holding a referendum to ask the community which tourism model would be appropriate to address this problem,” said Carmen Riu, a Mallorcan businesswoman.
“Tourismphobia is not an isolated phenomenon, but a reaction to the mass tourism that affects the quality of life in Barcelona. The current tourism model is very focused on low cost, and this contributes to a series of social and economic problems,” said anthropologist José Mansilla.
“I feel like a stranger in my own land, especially during the high season. I feel pressure from prices, local services, rent, and much more. It’s too much. We are more than overwhelmed,” a citizen of the Balearic Islands shared on his Instagram account.
Continuing with the survey conducted by CanCocollona, 20% of participants revealed that the overcrowding of public spaces is a significant problem when visiting a destination. The massive influx of tourists can lead to congestion in public areas such as parks, beaches, and squares, reducing availability and comfort for all users.
If we take the Costa Brava as an example, going to Lloret de Mar is not the same as going to Tossa de Mar. Lloret, being much closer to Barcelona, attracts more tourists, and its streets are also overloaded with businesses, it looks dirtier, and there are even large fast-food chains; while Tossa de Mar, although also busy, its streets appear more authentic, cleaner, preserving their identity, and even the air feels different, allowing us to conclude that the overcrowding of spaces is a CHALLENGE that the tourism sector must address.
Finally, the survey also found that 7% of the community is not informed about the specific problems of tourist overcrowding. Although this figure is not very high, it reveals a lack of awareness and interest in the matter. This may be because they do not understand that climate phenomena are a consequence of human activities. They are also skeptical and refuse to believe it due to political, economic, or personal influence. Others interpret it as a distant problem and, since it does not affect their daily lives, it does not seem urgent. Moreover, some prefer to focus on their immediate needs (work, income, or lifestyle), meaning they expect someone else to solve it because they are too busy with their daily lives. Another significant reason is that many believe their individual efforts are insignificant in the face of the problem’s magnitude, leading to powerlessness, inaction, and indifference.
Thus, tourist overcrowding has various impacts on destinations, communities, and tourists. The question would be: How can we balance the flow of visitors with the quality of life of residents and the sustainability of the environment?
Keywords: tourist overcrowding, price increase, overcrowding, impact on residents, sustainable tourism
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