European countries, most notably Italy and Spain, have recently come under greater public and civil unrest pressure for the scourge of mass tourism. Since May, both nations have been under a Level 2 travel advisory due to concerns over terrorism and civil unrest, urging travelers to exercise heightened caution. The backlash against overtourism has sparked significant protests in various cities, prompting local governments to take action to address the situation.
Tourist Restrictions in Italy
In a recent effort to tackle the bottleneck of massive tourist crowds, Italy has taken drastic measures at some of its most famous landmarks. Beginning in November 2024, Pompeii will cap daily visitors at 20,000. Considerations impacting this wise decision to maintain the site’s historical character. On top of that, since last spring Venice has started charging tourists for entry into the city. This new initiative aims to address the very real costs overtourism has on the city’s infrastructure and on those who live in the Magic City.
Protests Across Spain
Spain has not been immune to the current wave of anti-tourism sentiment. Barcelona’s city leaders had just unveiled the world’s most radical plan. This is a response to the massive impacts of mass tourism, and they plan to cancel more than 10,000 short-term residence permits by 2028. In addition to the tax, the city is raising the daily tourist tax for cruise passengers stopping in the city for less than 12 hours.
The Balearic island of Mallorca has experienced its fair share of protests too. On June 15, 2025, protestors took to the streets en masse. They jostled for space on their bikes as they ardently protested against the surge of the tourism economy. Residents argue that their communities are being sacrificed for the sake of tourism, echoing sentiments expressed in Lisbon, where signs proclaimed, “As you come, I have to go.”
“As you come, I have to go” – Protestors
Portugal’s Advisory and Local Actions
Portugal has maintained a Level 1 travel advisory since March, advising would-be tourists to exercise “normal precautions.” At the same time, the capital city of Lisbon has been the epicenter of angry protests against overtourism. These demonstrators on June 15, 2025, were holding a new type of protest banner that allowed them to project their message directly onto the tourist’s t-shirt. So did the local protesters who were justly worried that mass tourism was destroying the fabric of their little community.
Tourism residents in Europe have been on the offensive against tourism. They are particularly irritated by the pressure from displacement created by short-term rentals and the flood of tourists. As economies driven by mass tourism expand, communities are becoming increasingly disenfranchised. Municipalities are now beginning to realize that they need to address the competing needs of attracting visitors while protecting the identity and culture of their local spaces.
