– Issue of “overtourism” in popular destinations in 2024 as global tourism numbers surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
– Places like Sintra, Portugal saw extremely high visitor numbers that overwhelmed local infrastructure and made life difficult for residents. Traffic jams, lack of basic services, and crowded attractions are some of the impacts described.
– The influx of tourists is also driving up housing prices and cost of living as properties are converted to short-term rentals. This is displacing long-time residents in many places.
– Mass protests erupted in various destinations calling on governments to better manage tourism flows and prioritize residents over visitors. Actions included demonstrations and squirt gun attacks on tourists.
– The concept of “overtourism” is discussed and analyzed by experts. While tourism brings economic benefits, too many visitors without proper controls or town planning can damage sites and degrade the quality of life.
– Residents interviewed express frustration with the chaos caused by the high volumes of tourists and vehicles. They feel local governments need to limit numbers and communicate plans for tourism management better.
Source: AP NEWS
