As Europe nears peak summer season, tourist hotspots are increasingly feeling the strain. In some places, like Spain, locals have long been growing weary of the ‘sun, sex, and sangria’ tourism certain destinations attract. Rising visitor numbers are putting pressure on health services, waste management, water supplies, and housing at the expense of residents.
Impact on Housing Crisis in Spain
One of the most pressing impacts of overtourism in Spain is the lack of housing and soaring rent prices for residents. In destinations like Málaga on the Costa del Sol, locals have expressed their frustration through graffiti and stickers, highlighting the challenges they face with housing availability and affordability.
Protests and Demonstrations
In response to the housing crisis and environmental concerns related to overtourism, residents in various European destinations have organized protests and demonstrations. From hunger strikes in the Canary Islands to graffiti campaigns in Spain, locals are pushing back against the negative effects of mass tourism.
