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Time Out
a day ago
- Time Out
Anti-tourism protests will take place across Europe this weekend – here's everything you need to know
Tourism has a bit of a bad name right now, with destinations all over Europe and the world implementing restrictions, fines, entry fees and flat-out bans on tourist behaviours to try and improve the livelihoods of local people. Spain has been at the forefront of this movement, with a shedload of rules that have been announced over the last couple of years, but spots all over the continent are beginning to call time on their overwhelming visitor numbers, and now, a big day of protests is approaching. Going to be in southern Europe this weekend? We've rounded up everything you need to know about the tourism protests which are expected across Spain, Portugal and Italy, including the specific cities taking part, how to stay up to date on the protests' whereabouts and the motivation behind the demonstrations. So, read on for everything you need to know. When and where are the protests expected? On Sunday June 15, protests are expected in a large number of destinations across sunny southern Europe, though it's not a centralised schedule of events, according to AFAR. Below is a list of cities and regions where they'll almost definitely be taking place, according to both Catalan News and a spokesperson from Majorca-based activist group Menys Turisme, Més Vida: Spain Barcelona Majorca Bilbao Donostia-San Sebastián Ibiza Valencia Palma Menorca Seville Granada Cantabria Tenerife Málaga Italy Venice Naples Palermo Portugal Lisbon According to the New York Times, protestors could also be turning out to picket at airports, blockade tour buses and obstruct entry to popular attractions. However, it's important to note that tourists themselves aren't the targets of these protests. Instead, they're directed towards governments. Why are people protesting? At the core of these protests is 'growing concern over the uncontrolled growth of tourism and its negative effects on local communities,' said Pablo Calvo, Spain Manager for travel operator Tours For You. The issues include rising housing costs (for buyers and renters), housing shortages, overcrowding (and subsequent strains on public resources), and working conditions for those in hospitality, according to Condé Nast Traveller. 'Our actions are not against tourists. They're against the economic model we have based on tourism,' said Pere Joan, a spokesperson for Menys Turisme, Més Vida. 'Our narrative is that we don't have limits [on visitor numbers], and right now we are past the limits, so we need to reduce the number of tourists. We have to fight with the politicians who give false solutions.' What's the latest travel advice? These protests have been organised under the umbrella of Southern Europe Network Against Touristification, or the SET Network, which is a grassroots group that was founded back in 2017. Tourism experts are encouraging visitors to stay informed about scheduled protests by keeping an eye on local news, and steering clear to avoid disruption. A representative of We Hate Tourism in Lisbon, Bruno Gomes, said aggressive behaviour towards tourists is not expected, but it's worth noting that water guns have become something of a symbol for the anti-tourism movement, so if you do pass by a demonstration, be prepared for some spray. More on overtourism in Europe We've compiled a list of all the destinations that want tourists to stay away, as well as one of all the destinations where you'll have to pay tourist taxes. Have a read of our deep-dive into whether popular European cities can ever recover from overtourism, and how to be a better tourist in these inundated hubs right now. Check out our guide on the five amazing countries that actually need tourism right now, and brush up on our tips on how to be a more sustainable traveller. We also have lists on the world's best sustainable tourism destinations.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Tourism Protests Are Expected in Major European Cities This Weekend
All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by Condé Nast Traveler editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Getty Images Across Europe's most popular destinations this weekend, the weather forecast says cloudy with a chance of water guns. Coordinated anti-tourism demonstrations, which recently have taken the form of crowds of locals spraying tourists with water pistols, are scheduled to happen on Sunday, June 15, in cities such as Barcelona, Ibiza, and Palma in Spain, as well as elsewhere in Europe, including Venice, Palermo, Lisbon, and other cities. 'Tourists have been warned of potential disruptions caused by activist groups preparing a large-scale protest for June 15th,' says Pablo Calvo, Spain Manager for travel operator Tours For You. 'The demonstration, organized by the Southern European Network Against Touristification (SET), will focus on major Spanish destinations, such as the Canary Islands (Lanzarote and Tenerife) and the Balearic Islands (Barcelona and Mallorca)." The protests are a continuation of a movement that first gained momentum in summer 2024 in Barcelona and the Canary Islands, as locals demanded action from politicians to limit mass tourism's impact on housing, jobs, and daily life. Spain, and Barcelona in particular, remain ground zero for the movement. Here's everything to know if you have an upcoming trip planned to one of the impacted destinations. Jump to When and where are the protests? What are the protests about? Should travelers be concerned? Travel alerts and advice How to be a responsible traveler In Barcelona, the protests are scheduled to start at noon on June 15 at the city's Jardinets de Gràcia. Additional cities in Spain that are planning to participate include Donostia-San Sebastian, where demonstrations will begin at 12 p.m. at the clock at La Concha beach; Granada, where protests will start at 11 a.m. at the Mirador de San Nicolas; Palma, where demonstrations are scheduled for 6 p.m. at Placa d'Espanya; and Ibiza, where protests will start at 6 p.m. at Portal de Ses Taules and follow the Plaça de la Constitució, ending in the Plaza de sa Graduada at 9 p.m., according to local news site Periodico de Ibiza. Protests are also expected to take place on June 15 in major cities throughout Europe, including Venice and Lisbon. Specific plans have not yet been released to the public, but parks, public squares, or popular tourist sites are likely gathering places. The protests aim to highlight the 'growing concern over the uncontrolled growth of tourism and its negative effects on local communities,' Calvo says, including rising housing costs, overcrowding, and the treatment of the industry's hospitality workers. Lluís Diago, a worker at Barcelona's famous Park Güell, said in a statement many of the jobs in the city's tourism sector are 'plagued by subcontracting and undignified and unsafe working conditions.' Improving working conditions and the housing market is a core focus of the coordinated demonstrations on June 15. The protests are fighting against "injustice from the economic model [tourism] sets,' said a spokesperson from the Assembly of Neighborhoods for Tourist De-Growth. In Barcelona, locals are pushing the city's politicians to reform policies like stopping a proposed expansion to Barcelona's El Prat Airport, tightening restrictions on Airbnbs and other short-term rentals, and placing limits on cruise ship arrivals. The message of the demonstrations may be geared toward politicians, but tourists could still be caught in the watery crossfire. 'We don't think there will be aggressive behaviors against tourists, so no fear for travelers," says Bruno Gomes, who works for We Hate Tourism tours in Lisbon, which aims to help visitors experience the city in a deeper way beyond its biggest tourist attractions. Although the demonstrations may sound overwhelming, there's 'no reason for fear, no need to cancel trips,' says Condé Nast Traveler travel specialist Murielle Blanchard, a consultant with Black Pearl Luxury Services. 'My suggestion is to talk to the [hotel] concierge and find out the route of the demonstration,' Blanchard says, adding that she has advised her clients to stay away from major sightseeing spots in affected cities on the day of the protests. 'It is better not to be in the middle of it. They have used water guns in the past, but I am not sure it will be the same this time." Similar protests against overtourism occurred in Spain across major destinations like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, and the Canary Islands this May. Before those protests, the US Embassy and Consulate in Spain and Andorra sent an alert to travelers advising them to avoid the gatherings. The embassy also advised US travelers to: Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests Be aware of your surroundings Follow the instructions of authorities and signs regarding closures and detours Monitor local media for updates Keep a low profile The same advice can be applied to the upcoming June 15 protests. Tourists can also make strides to be more responsible and intentional about the way they travel. According to Gomes, more travelers are being led by social media to the same spots with hopes of recreating the content they see in viral posts and videos. This only exacerbates overcrowding issues and stress on destinations' infrastructures. 'We are traveling more and more with strict agendas and to-do lists,' Gomes says. 'We know all about everything because of Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok, stripping away from us what traveling should be.' Instead, travelers can strive to get off the beaten path, and venture beyond the tourist hotspots. Other helpful actions travelers can take include scheduling trips for the off season, traveling in smaller groups, hiring local guides, and supporting small businesses. These are issues that can be solved on an individual level, one tourist at a time. 'Explore, and engage with locals to give you a true feeling of what life and culture are in each city,' recommends Gomes. 'Go deeper. The biggest responsibility of overtourism is from politicians and greedy businesses, but we all have a responsibility too. If we consume and choose better, know where and to whom your money is going, we will in fact change things.' Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler The Latest Travel News and Advice Want to be the first to know? Sign up to our newsletters for travel inspiration and tips Stop Counting the Countries You Visit How Safe Is Flying Today? 5 Things Experts Want Travelers to Know The Best Places to See the Northern Lights Worldwide
Condé Nast Traveler
2 days ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
Tourism Protests Are Expected in Major European Cities This Weekend
Across Europe's most popular destinations this weekend, the weather forecast says cloudy with a chance of water guns. Coordinated anti-tourism demonstrations, which recently have taken the form of crowds of locals spraying tourists with water pistols, are scheduled to happen on Sunday, June 15, in cities such as Barcelona, Ibiza, and Palma in Spain, as well as elsewhere in Europe, including Venice, Palermo, Lisbon, and other cities. 'Tourists have been warned of potential disruptions caused by activist groups preparing a large-scale protest for June 15th,' says Pablo Calvo, Spain Manager for travel operator Tours For You. 'The demonstration, organized by the Southern European Network Against Touristification (SET), will focus on major Spanish destinations, such as the Canary Islands (Lanzarote and Tenerife) and the Balearic Islands (Barcelona and Mallorca)." The protests are a continuation of a movement that first gained momentum in summer 2024 in Barcelona and the Canary Islands, as locals demanded action from politicians to limit mass tourism's impact on housing, jobs, and daily life. Spain, and Barcelona in particular, remain ground zero for the movement. Here's everything to know if you have an upcoming trip planned to one of the impacted destinations. When and where are the protests? In Barcelona, the protests are scheduled to start at noon on June 15 at the city's Jardinets de Gràcia. Additional cities in Spain that are planning to participate include Donostia-San Sebastian, where demonstrations will begin at 12 p.m. at the clock at La Concha beach; Granada, where protests will start at 11 a.m. at the Mirador de San Nicolas; Palma, where demonstrations are scheduled for 6 p.m. at Placa d'Espanya; and Ibiza, where protests will start at 6 p.m. at Portal de Ses Taules and follow the Plaça de la Constitució, ending in the Plaza de sa Graduada at 9 p.m., according to local news site Periodico de Ibiza. Protests are also expected to take place on June 15 in major cities throughout Europe, including Venice and Lisbon. Specific plans have not yet been released to the public, but parks, public squares, or popular tourist sites are likely gathering places. What are the protests about? The protests aim to highlight the 'growing concern over the uncontrolled growth of tourism and its negative effects on local communities,' Calvo says, including rising housing costs, overcrowding, and the treatment of the industry's hospitality workers. Lluís Diago, a worker at Barcelona's famous Park Güell, said in a statement many of the jobs in the city's tourism sector are 'plagued by subcontracting and undignified and unsafe working conditions.' Improving working conditions and the housing market is a core focus of the coordinated demonstrations on June 15. The protests are fighting against "injustice from the economic model [tourism] sets,' said a spokesperson from the Assembly of Neighborhoods for Tourist De-Growth. In Barcelona, locals are pushing the city's politicians to reform policies like stopping a proposed expansion to Barcelona's El Prat Airport, tightening restrictions on Airbnbs and other short-term rentals, and placing limits on cruise ship arrivals. Venice recently began charging a tourist entry fee for day-trippers, one of the city's new policies aimed at managing overtourism. Getty Images Should travelers be concerned? The message of the demonstrations may be geared toward politicians, but tourists could still be caught in the watery crossfire. 'We don't think there will be aggressive behaviors against tourists, so no fear for travelers," says Bruno Gomes, who works for We Hate Tourism tours in Lisbon, which aims to help visitors experience the city in a deeper way beyond its biggest tourist attractions.
