Last updated: 1:20 PM ET, Mon June 9, 2025
Activists in Europe are organizing an anti-tourism event on
June 15 that calls for protests in popular destinations dealing with
overtourism.
According to the New York Post, the Southern Europe Network
Against Touristification group announced plans to “disrupt airports, tour buses
and popular attractions with placards and water pistols” to draw attention to
the “housing crisis, rising rents and environmental impacts.”
“The goal is not to attack individuals but to draw attention
to the social and environmental toll tourism is taking on our cities,” an unnamed
organizer said. “We are being squeezed out of our homes, our public spaces, and
our daily lives.”
“It’s not about hating tourists, it’s about saving our
communities,” another activist said.
One of the areas expecting the biggest protests is the Spanish
island of Majorca, which has around 60 anti-tourism groups scheduled to take to
the streets. The movement has taken on the slogan, “For the right to a decent
life; Stop touristification.”
As for how the tourism industry is responding, Intrepid
Travel Australian managing director Brett Mitchell told the New York Post that
his company was working to find a balance between allowing travelers to enjoy
themselves and focusing on locals.
Mitchell believes it’s a shared responsibility to battle
overtourism, with government officials, tour operators, cruise lines, and
airlines working together to ensure the most popular destinations aren’t negatively
impacted by tourism.
“The reality is tourism is not going to slow down, it’s a
mega trend and it’s only going to become bigger and bigger, and if the issue is
not addressed it’s going to get worse and worse every year,” Mitchell said. “As
a traveler, I think there’s a lot of things we can do,” he said.
“Look at the off seasons or shoulder seasons; it’s another
really good way to try and avoid crowds,” Mitchell continued. “Getting off the
beaten track; yes, go and see these amazing iconic tourist spots, but get there
early and then move on and go and see other alternative areas and destinations.”
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