Latest news with #tourismprotests
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
I went to the Spanish town that held a tourism ban vote - here's what surprised me
Overtourism has been all over the news recently. From the big anti-tourism protests across Spain and its islands in 2024, to cities such as Aberdeen bringing in new tourist taxes, many popular holiday hotspots are looking at ways to control tourist numbers, or at least make some revenue from the extra visitors. Binibeca Vell is a relatively tiny housing development on the island of Menorca, but it has made some big headlines as part of the overtourism debate. Last year the holiday hotspot threatened to ban tourists completely after previously telling them to only visit between 11am and 8pm. However, when the vote was cast, locals declined to put a total tourist ban in place, instead opting for the restricted hours, so they could at least enjoy breakfast in peace. The spot, sometimes dubbed the Spanish Mykonos due to its style which resembles a Greek fishing village, is quite a strange attraction. While it may have the classic Mediterranean aesthetic, it was actually built in the 1970s, and it's not a village, but rather a private development, which has given locals the unique ability to close it to tourists. And it's easy to see why they might consider bolting the gates. A quick search of Binibeca on social media shows dozens of posts of people sitting on terraces, climbing staircases, and whimsically wandering through its narrow alleys. While the videos of influencers in pretty sundresses posing in the streets may look gorgeous, the reality is, people live within the complex, and it must be incredibly annoying to look outside your window to see someone taking selfies. Although I've visited Menorca several times in the past, with my first trip being back when I was a kid in the early 90s, I had strangely never heard of Binibeca until I saw the tourist ban headlines. The popularity of the place seems to be very much tied to its social media appeal. So, when we decided to visit in late-July, the place was on my to do list. I was curious why a few houses were such a big tourist attraction, and how bad the crowds would be. Obviously, visiting in July means it's peak time, with school holidays in full swing. We opted to visit mid-week, and tried to arrive soon after the opening time of 11am, hoping it would be quieter, especially since we had two kids in tow. I was expecting the crowds to be somewhere between Oxford Street on a Saturday and summer in Santorini. We found a parking spot on the road outside fairly easily, and braced ourselves to elbow our way through the hoards of tourists. But as we stumbled down some steps and took in the stunning sea views, we were surprised to find it was pretty quiet. There were a few families and couples on romantic strolls and we certainly saw more than one person taking selfies, although they were keeping a respectful distance from the homes. The buildings are plastered with signs warning people not to sit on walls or climb on staircases, and some are blocked with chains, so it appears the message is getting through. The only real scrum we found was the fight to get a table at one of the restaurants at lunchtime. In the Binibeca Vell area there are lots of tourist villas and hotels, and everyone seemed to descend at once, trying to get an outdoor table with a view. So, after spending about an hour and a half wandering the area, we decided to drive somewhere else to eat. So, while Binibeca might not be as packed as I thought, would I recommend it as a day trip? To be honest, it wouldn't be top of my list. It's certainly very pretty, and while it was nice to walk around, there wasn't much to do other than take photos and shop for some souvenirs at the end. The kids enjoyed the walk, but were more excited by the prospect of an ice cream at the end. People going to UK tourist hotspot told 'stay aware' as travel advice updated Ibiza Final Boss breaks silence with big news as girlfriend reacts to viral fame There are plenty of other picturesque spots to explore in Menorca. Try Fornells in the north of the island. It was formerly a real fishing village, and has a beautiful bay and beaches. Or try Cap d'Artrutx in the south west, where you can visit a 19th-century lighthouse and will find lots of beautiful harbour-front restaurants where you can stay past 8pm. Binibeca Vell is probably best left for the locals to enjoy in peace. As for anti-tourism sentiment, I didn't personally experience any on my trip to Menorca. I only spotted a single 'tourists go home' style poster on my trip hanging from a balcony. While the island does have some big resorts, it gets a fraction of the visitors of Majorca, around 1.6 million to the bigger island's 10 million, so you're less likely to be fighting for a sunbed.
Travel Weekly
5 days ago
- Travel Weekly
Overtourism and Europe's protests -- A Summer Series episode
Clockwise from top left: Tours editor Brinley Hineman, Miriam Martinez of Revigorate and Folo host Rebecca Tobin talk about overtourism concerns in Portugal, Spain and elsewhere in Europe. Despite what we're hearing about close-to-home travel, Americans are still headed to Europe in large numbers and to tourism hot spots like Venice, Barcelona, Greece and Lisbon. Many of these places have also been the sites of protests over tourism -- in Barcelona, for example, protesters were again using water guns to spray visitors in an attempt to make their concerns known. Travel advisor Miriam Martinez of Revigorate, who works with and advises American clients, joins tours editor Brinley Hineman and host Rebecca Tobin to talk about whether travelers are concerned about overtourism protests and anti-tourism sentiment; how advisors and tour companies are packaging and selling lesser-visited destinations to travelers; and possible solutions to overcrowded cities. Episode sponsor This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International Summer series This episode is part of our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was recorded June 30 and has been edited for length and clarity. Related links In Europe, tour operators and advisors plan around overtourism Protesters spray tourists with water guns in Spain Cruise industry navigates a new wave of port taxes Previous Folo episodes Is the term 'overtourism' being overused?
Travel Weekly
10-07-2025
- Travel Weekly
What to know about overtourism and Europe protests
Clockwise from top left: Tours editor Brinley Hineman, Miriam Martinez of Revigorate and Folo host Rebecca Tobin talk about overtourism concerns in Portugal, Spain and elsewhere in Europe. Subscribe now using your favorite service: It's July, and despite what we're hearing about close-to-home travel, Americans are still headed to Europe in large numbers and to tourism hot spots like Venice, Barcelona, Greece and Lisbon. Many of these places have also been the sites of protests over tourism - in Barcelona, for example, protesters were again using water guns to spray visitors in an attempt to make their concerns known. Travel advisor Miriam Martinez of the travel agency Revigorate, who works with and advises American clients, joins tours editor Brinley Hineman and host Rebecca Tobin to talk about whether travelers are concerned about overtourism protests and anti-tourism sentiment; how advisors and tour companies are packaging and selling lesser-visited destinations to travelers; and possible solutions to overcrowded cities. This episode was recorded June 30 and has been edited for length and clarity. Episode sponsor This episode is sponsored by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Related links In Europe, tour operators and advisors plan around overtourism Protesters spray tourists with water guns in Spain Cruise industry navigates a new wave of port taxes Revigorate Previous Folo episodes Is the term 'overtourism' being overused?
The Independent
10-06-2025
- The Independent
Mallorca will remove 20 per cent of sun loungers by 2026. Here's why
Palma de Mallorca is planning to remove nearly 1,700 sun loungers from its beaches by 2026 to increase free space for locals and address complaints about overtourism and beach erosion. The reduction will affect Palma's four main beaches, with Playa de Palma seeing the largest decrease from 6,000 to 4,436 sunbeds. In addition to reducing sunbeds, Palma's council plans to introduce an online app by 2027 for reserving loungers and umbrellas. The changes are part of a larger initiative by Palma's mayor, Jaime Martinez, to invest €300 million in improving Playa de Palma, including a ban on new tourist hotels. These measures coincide with growing anti-tourism protests across Spain and other popular destinations, organised by the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification (SET), due to housing shortages and the impact of overtourism.
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- RNZ News
Overtourism: ruining it for everyone
A new trend has passengers arriving at their destination even more glamorous than when they set out. Photo: Unsplash Photo: Griffith Institute for Tourism The OE is considered a rite of passage for many, and Instagram boasts all the hot spots. But many locals are feeling squeezed out. Spain's Canary Islands have seen protests against mass tourism, demanding a curb of visitor numbers to protect residents from soaring housing costs, traffic congestion and overburdened services. Dr Susanne Becken is Professor of Sustainable Tourism at Griffith University, Australia, and founder of the Griffith Institute for Tourism . She speaks with Susie Ferguson.
