“Tourists Go Home” – Growing Backlash Against Overcrowding and New Housing Crisis in Spain, Italy, and Portugal: Is the Golden Age of Travel Over? – Travel And Tour World

Tourism has long been a cornerstone of Southern Europe’s economy, with millions flocking to cities and coastal regions every year to experience the culture, history, and beauty these areas offer. However, recent protests and rising discontent in countries like Spain, Italy, and Portugal suggest that the relationship between locals and tourists may need a major reset. The growing resentment against tourism’s impact on housing, the environment, and local economies is no longer confined to a vocal minority. Across the continent, slogans like “Tourists go home” and increasingly dramatic actions—such as locals squirting water pistols at tourists—are becoming more visible. While some argue these acts represent frustrations with local policies, others believe they underscore a much deeper issue: the current model of tourism needs to change.

Tourism’s Impact: Overcrowding, Housing Shortages, and Gentrification

In recent years, certain parts of Southern Europe have passed a tipping point in terms of the impact tourism has on local communities. As tourist numbers continue to rise, some residents are facing the detrimental side effects of tourism’s exponential growth. Cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Rome—once welcoming to visitors—are now dealing with issues such as overcrowding, housing shortages, and the displacement of local businesses.

In places like Lavapiés (a multicultural neighborhood near Madrid’s main train station), the transformation is palpable. When I moved there 12 years ago, it was an area known for its traditional bars, restaurants, and independent shops. Today, the area is unrecognizable, with many of the businesses replaced by tourist-oriented establishments. Restaurants that once offered affordable menus for locals have doubled their prices to cater to the growing number of tourists. New hotels, such as the Ibis hotel, feature dynamic price boards that fluctuate between €150 and €250 per night, which would have been unheard of just a few years ago.

Many of the residential buildings in these areas, once home to working-class families, are now converted into Airbnb rentals or tourist accommodations. Lavapiés alone has one of the highest concentrations of unlicensed tourist rentals in Madrid. Historically, this area, along with other old working-class neighborhoods, provided affordable housing for city dwellers. Yet, the rise of the short-term rental market has priced out many locals who can no longer afford to live in the area. Thousands of flats, originally built in the 18th and 19th centuries for industrial workers, are now listed on platforms like Airbnb, charging the same prices as in Madrid’s wealthier districts.

The issue here is not necessarily the presence of tourists but the unregulated growth of the short-term rental market. Many tourists opt for these accommodations because they offer more flexibility and lower costs compared to traditional hotels. The average cost of a hotel room in Madrid is €100 or more per night, making Airbnb and similar platforms an attractive alternative for travelers. However, the surge in the number of tourists seeking affordable lodging in residential areas has exacerbated the housing crisis, leading to a shortage of affordable homes for locals.

The Role of Policy Failure and Economic Imbalance

The ongoing issue of gentrification in neighborhoods like Lavapiés is not solely due to tourists choosing to stay in the area but rather a direct result of policy failure and economic imbalance. While Madrid’s local government has made attempts to regulate rent prices and increase housing supply, the legislation aimed at curbing excessive rent hikes faces strong resistance from regional governments, particularly those led by right-wing parties like the People’s Party (PP).

One of the key obstacles in addressing the housing crisis is the lack of alignment between national and regional governments on policies related to housing. The PP-led regional government in Madrid has refused to declare certain areas as “high-tension” zones, a move that would allow city councils to implement rent caps and restrictions on short-term rentals. Despite efforts by Spain’s left-wing coalition government to address rent regulation, regional resistance continues to block effective solutions, leaving many areas vulnerable to further touristification.

Additionally, Madrid’s city council, also controlled by the PP, has approved changes to town planning rules that allow tourist accommodations to replace residential properties more easily. This shift essentially permits buildings that were once homes for local residents to be turned into tourist-only accommodations, further exacerbating the shortage of affordable housing.

Tourist Flats: A Point of Controversy in Southern Europe

As tourism in Southern Europe continues to grow, the call for more aggressive regulation of tourist flats has intensified. Many local residents and activists are calling for an outright ban on unlicensed tourist rentals, especially in cities where the housing crisis has reached its peak. There’s a growing recognition that short-term rentals are a significant driver of gentrification and a primary reason why many residents are being pushed out of historically affordable neighborhoods.

However, banning tourist flats outright may not be a silver bullet. It is important to understand that the growth of tourist accommodations cannot be separated from the broader economic imbalance in these cities. While some call for stricter regulations on tourist properties, others argue that it’s equally important to address the lack of affordable housing for both locals and tourists. In Madrid, for instance, there is a noticeable shortage of mid-range accommodations that cater to budget-conscious tourists. Luxury hotels and five-star resorts are being built in place of modest guesthouses that were once accessible to middle-class travelers.

The lack of affordable options for tourists has placed further pressure on local communities, as those who used to rely on budget accommodations are now left with few affordable choices. Spain continues to develop luxury resorts, but the lack of comfortable, middle-priced hotels is contributing to the broader issue of housing affordability.

Should Tourists “Go Home”? The Dilemma of Modern Tourism

In light of the growing tensions, the question of whether tourists should go home or if it’s possible to enjoy a trip without contributing to the problem remains relevant. Protests in cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon have seen slogans such as “Tourists go home” appear on walls, and isolated incidents, like the use of water pistols to deter tourists, have brought international attention to the growing resentment.

Despite these tensions, the reality is that tourism remains vital to the economy of countries like Spain, where it accounts for roughly 12% of GDP. The country wants tourists, but not at the expense of its residents. Local governments need to find a way to strike a balance between welcoming international visitors and protecting the integrity of their communities. This means revisiting and overhauling the model of tourism currently in practice.

National and regional governments must go beyond creating short-term fixes like rent caps and focus on addressing the underlying economic disparities that have led to the rise of gentrification and touristification. Regulating short-term rentals is a crucial first step, but creating affordable accommodations and investing in infrastructure for both residents and tourists is equally important.

The Role of Travelers in Sustainable Tourism

While much of the attention has been on policy reform and local government action, travelers also have a role to play in addressing these issues. Ethical tourism involves making informed decisions about where to stay, how to travel, and the impact of one’s choices on local communities. Instead of staying in unlicensed tourist apartments, travelers can opt for accommodations that are part of the formal tourism infrastructure, such as regulated hotels or sustainable lodgings that contribute to the local economy in a more balanced way.

It’s also important for tourists to learn about the housing pressures in the places they visit. Understanding the challenges faced by local residents can encourage more responsible behavior, such as choosing less crowded destinations or traveling during off-peak seasons, when the pressure on local resources is lower.

In addition, travelers should consider staying in resort towns on the mainland rather than congested urban areas or islands, where resources and infrastructure are already stretched. This type of conscious travel can help spread the benefits of tourism more evenly, ensuring that communities in less-visited regions benefit from tourism without being overwhelmed.

Concluding Thoughts: A Better Way Forward

As tensions rise between locals and tourists, the solution does not lie in the complete abandonment of tourism, but rather in a rethinking of how tourism is managed. There is no doubt that tourism plays a key role in supporting local economies, but it must be sustainable and balanced with the needs of residents. The focus should be on developing a more equitable model that benefits both locals and tourists, ensuring that cities do not lose their character or become unaffordable for their residents.

Governments must take stronger action to regulate short-term rentals and invest in affordable housing, while also creating a tourism model that supports responsible travel. In parallel, travelers must do their part by making more ethical choices and understanding the consequences of their visits.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a tourism experience that supports local communities while preserving the cultural and historical fabric of destinations. Only through collaboration between governments, businesses, and tourists can we create a future where tourism can thrive without causing harm to the communities it relies on.