Tourists, go home! Demonstrators protest crowds in southern Europe

 

Crowds on our recent crossing of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence illustrate the overcrowding which
is taxing the patience and pocketbooks of locals, causing anti-tourist demonstrations across Europe.

The complex problem of over-tourism is the focus of today's
column.  We experienced protestors and understand their view.

LOCALS PROTEST AS TOO MANY PEOPLE TAX FOOD & TOUR SERVICES, WATER SUPPLY, DRIVE UP HOUSING 

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE MEYERS 

We photographed this scene in the Canary Islands
earlier this year. We viewed the rally from our bus.

FOR THE day first time in many trips to Europe, we experienced  "tourist go home" demonstrations.

We sympathize with the protestors, but it's a strange feeling. We have mixed feelings about this phenomenon.

On the one hand, we travel to enjoy ourselves, relax, as we spend money to take in familiar and new sights. We are courteous and tip well. But not all locals want us in southern Europe. 

The day we docked in Santorini, above, three other ships
were in port. Seven ships have docked on other days. 

WE UNDERSTAND their feelings because while many businesses rely on tourism, others view increasing crowds as a plague.  They claim over-tourism  is damaging the land, economy and spirits. It's a fact that in some places, rents have more than doubled in five years and lines to access museums, buses and cable cars can wrap around a city block.

Recently, we experienced crushing crowds in Santorini. This caused residents of this idyllic island to balk when they were told to stay home last week.  Why? Because in a single day, 17,000 tourists descended on their lovely land, famous for its blue and white architecture and hilltop vistas.

One way to avoid crowds is to rent a car as
we did a few weeks ago in Lanzarote.

We saw protestors in the Canary Islands, too, where locals are insisting that the government rethink tourism policies. This "Tourist Go Home" mentality was on signs, on banners and on the lips of protestors as anger rises.

Crowds and lines to book tours and get a table
at a resident are a common sight these days. 

It's a complicated issue. Over-tourism is putting pressure on health services, waste management, water supplies and housing at the expense of residents.  

Restrictions are inevitable as crowds cause a rise in real estate prices, environmental pollution, traffic congestion, general overcrowding and a water shortage.

Crowds overflow in Santorini, awaiting sunset. Bars and
cafes are packed these days; but many locals are not happy.

Still ship passengers are flowing into southern Europe by the thousands. Venice is expected to attract 540,000 cruise ship passengers this year, a near 10 percent increase from 2023, according to the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority.
As the city is overrun by tourists, a visitor's tax has been implemented. Cruise lines are now docking farther from city center which helps the structural and environmental integrity of over-touristed cities and ports. Of course it it makes transportation into "the action" more difficult and expensive for us.  Again, we understand and try to do our part to preserve these beautiful places for a return visit. Somehow, a compromise must be reached. 

 

Queen Mary 2 awaits passengers in Southampton,
where passengers board for a crossing to New York.

UP NEXT: The world's most famous cruise line, Cunard, has the corner on the market in a number of areas. For one, it boasts the world's only true ocean liner. We hop aboard Queen Mary 2 for a nostalgic crossing -- "brilliant," as our British friends say. We explore Cunard's small but stylish fleet of four ships which take passengers back to the golden age of ocean voyages. As a luxurious liner, QM2 sits sleek and sound on the water and can achieve higher speeds and smoother rides than cruise ships, which are designed for leisure and recreation. QM2 offers plenty of that, too. Come join us, remembering to explore, learn and live: www.whereiscookie.com