As Venice introduces tour group limits and Barcelona increases its tourism tax, has the time come to get serious about the problem of over-tourism?
"Great victory at UNESCO!!… Venice is not at risk. The world has understood all the work we have done to defend our city, but some of the opposition in Venice still hasn’t."
Luigi Brugnaro - Mayor of Venice - on the announcement of the new tourism restrictions
With the news this year that Venice is limiting tour group numbers and Barcelona is increasing its visitor tax, the issue of over-tourism has once again come under the spotlight.
Seemingly now fully recovered from the challenges of the Covid pandemic, popular destinations are once again seeing hotel occupancy rates rising and streets full with the hustle and bustle of visitors.
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), International tourist arrivals reached 97% of pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2024.
But while this return to “normality” has had a welcome impact on local economies – particularly for visitor-serving businesses – the return of the tourist has not been met with pleasure by all.
Crowded streets are just one of the impacts of over-tourism.
With the mayor of Venice talking about the need to "defend" his city, the issue of over-tourism is starting to be characterised as an attack on local environments.
Mass-tourism has emerged as a pressing challenge for many cities worldwide, particularly those renowned for their cultural heritage and stunning landscapes.
As global tourism continues to grow, cities like Venice and Barcelona are grappling with the consequences of excessive visitor numbers—crowded streets, environmental degradation, and strained local infrastructure.
In response, these cities are implementing innovative measures to manage tourism sustainably, ensuring that they can preserve their unique identities while providing a quality experience for both visitors and residents.
So, how is this balance being struck and is it possible to cater for the needs of one group without compromising the living standards of the other?
Understanding Over-Tourism
Over-tourism refers to the phenomenon where the number of tourists exceeds the capacity of a destination, leading to negative impacts on the environment, local culture, and quality of life for residents.
Cities such as Venice, with its iconic canals and historic architecture, and Barcelona, famous for its Gaudí masterpieces, have become emblematic of this issue.
Reports indicate that Venice receives over 25 million visitors annually, while Barcelona sees around 30 million.
Venice visitor numbers from 2003-2023. Source: Statista.
This influx translates to roughly 38 visitors per resident in Venice, while in Barcelona, the ratio is approximately 11:1. Such numbers create immense pressure on local resources and infrastructure, prompting urgent calls for action.
Tourism density also becomes an issue, with popular landmarks and central streets attracting the largest percentage of visitors, meaning local residents can often feel 'locked out' of these areas at peak times.
No wonder then, that the strain between residents and visitors feels like it is reaching breaking point.
A local view
To get a better insight into the issue, we spoke with Delphine Bonté, a Customer Care Travel Agent and resident of Barcelona for the last seven years. Here is what she had to say...
Delphine looks over the ever-changing landscape of Barcelona.
Barcelona is a great city to live in and one that you always want to come back to because it has so much to offer.
However, Barcelona has been a victim of its own success, as it has been overcrowded with tourism for many years. But Barcelona also thrives on all its visitors, which makes the situation tricky.
I believe that, like everything in life, it's a question of balance. Since last year, we can sense that locals are fed up with this issue and are starting to show it.
Some graffiti saying 'Tourists go home' (and 'Expats go home') are popping up all over the walls of the Gràcia neighbourhood, and recently, locals have been more frequently taking to the streets to express their disapproval of mass tourism. I accidentally ended up in one of these protests, and tourists seemed to have no idea what was going on!
The locals feel dispossessed of the city they grew up in, their local celebrations (like fiestas de barrio) are sometimes overrun with tourists and expats.
"One of the main consequences of this mass tourism recently is that locals or people who want to settle here encounter great difficulties finding flats at decent prices in the city centre and have to live further away."
Delphine Bonté - Barcelona resident
The rent prices have been skyrocketing lately, to the point where even a room in a shared flat can cost up to 700-800 Euros. Working in the tourism industry myself, I noticed that over the past year, not only have flat prices increased significantly, but so have hotel rates. It is almost impossible to find a night for less than 100-150 Euros anymore.
Another issue is that daily life in the city centre can sometimes be a challenge. La Rambla, Sagrada Familia, and some areas like El Gòtic and El Born have become places that residents no longer enjoy walking through due to the overwhelming crowds and security issues.
Unfortunately, tourists attract people with bad intentions, and robberies have become so common that there isn't a week that goes by without hearing about someone getting robbed in the streets. Sadly, I have witnessed it far too often. As a resident of Barcelona, you must always watch your belongings.
I believe the people of Barcelona are not completely against tourists, they just wish to live in peace and quiet.
Delphine's response is common of many residents of popular tourism destinations - their issue is not with the tourists themselves, but more with the impact of tourism activity - be it rising rental prices or environmental damage.
But how to strike the balance that she mentions? A tricky task, certainly, but one that cities are already taking steps to try and tackle...
Finding a balance - innovative measures implemented by cities
As we have seen, cities are already taking direct action to tackle the issue of over-tourism.
However, a delicate equalibrium must be struck between reducing the problems associated with visitors while maintaining enough of the positive economic input that they bring
Taking the examples of Venice and Barcelona, we look at how each city is finding innovative ways to manage tourism numbers while still protecting the interests of local business...
A numbers game in Venice
To combat the overwhelming influx of tourists, Venice has introduced a significant measure: limiting tour groups to a maximum of 25 people.
This initiative aims to control the flow of visitors in popular areas and reduce congestion, particularly in sensitive locations like St. Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge.
By capping group sizes, the city hopes to enhance the visitor experience while minimising the impact on its fragile ecosystem.
The hope is that this approach will not only preserve the charm of Venice but also foster a more intimate and meaningful engagement with the city's rich history.
The city also plans to implement an entry fee for day-trippers, expected to begin in 2024, aiming to deter mass tourism while maintaining the city’s allure.
And Venice is not the only city looking to use charges as both a financial fillip and partial deterent...
Taxing the issue in Barcelona
Barcelona, also heavily impacted by over-tourism, is taking the approach of increasing its tourist tax.
Starting this year, the city plans to raise fees for visitors staying in hotels and other accommodations.
Previously set at €3 per night, the new rates will increase to €4.50 for hotels in the city centre and €2.25 for hostels.
The additional revenue generated from this tax will be reinvested into local infrastructure and services, ensuring that both tourists and residents benefit from improved public amenities.
This measure also serves as a deterrent for mass tourism, encouraging visitors to consider their impact on the city.
In 2022 alone, the tax generated over €50 million, which has been instrumental in funding local projects.
Popular tourist site, the Sagrada Família in Barcelona.
Promoting Alternative Destinations
Another key strategy in managing tourism, is to encourage visitors to spread themselves over a wider area.
Both Venice and Barcelona are actively promoting lesser-known parts of the cities to disperse tourist traffic.
In Venice, the local government encourages visitors to explore neighborhoods beyond the main tourist hotspots, such as the vibrant arts district of Dorsoduro and the quieter islands like Burano and Murano.
In collaboration with local businesses, Venice is developing promotional materials that highlight these hidden gems.
Similarly, Barcelona is highlighting its surrounding regions, like the scenic Montserrat mountain and the coastal town of Sitges, to inspire travelers to venture off the beaten path.
By diversifying tourist experiences, these cities aim to alleviate pressure on their most popular attractions while providing visitors with unique insights into local culture.
Every visitor likes the feeling of discovering something new and 'authentic', so the cities themselves leaning in to this idea seems to make perfect sense as a tourism management policy.
Enhancing Local Engagement
A key element to these emerging tourism strategies is the engagment of local communities in their planning and execution.
In Venice, initiatives are underway to involve residents in shaping their city’s tourism policies, ensuring that their voices are heard and that tourism aligns with community needs.
Public forums and workshops have been organised to gather local opinions on tourism management.
Barcelona has also developed programs that foster authentic cultural exchanges, allowing tourists to interact with locals through workshops, food tours, and cultural experiences.
These efforts enrich the visitor experience and empower residents to take ownership of their city’s tourism narrative.
By moving away from the idea of the tourist as the 'invader', the cities are trying to create an environment where locals and visitors can rediscover an appreciation of the benefits each brings to the other.
Smart Tourism and Sustainability
The advent of technology has also played a crucial role in managing tourist flows.
Both Barcelona and Venice are leveraging data analytics and mobile applications to monitor visitor patterns in real-time.
For instance, Venice has introduced apps that provide information on crowd levels at various attractions, helping tourists plan their visits more effectively. This has encouraged staggered visiting times, resulting in a better experience for all.
Apps and smart tech are key tools in tourism management strategy.
Barcelona is exploring similar tools to enhance the overall tourist experience while minimising congestion in popular areas. The city has implemented smart traffic management systems that optimise transport routes and reduce bottleneck situations.
Of course, sustainability is at the heart of the measures being implemented in both cities.
Venice is investing in eco-friendly transportation options, such as electric boats, to reduce emissions and preserve the delicate marine environment.
Meanwhile, Barcelona is promoting green accommodations and sustainable practices among its hospitality sector.
These initiatives not only help to mitigate the environmental impacts of tourism but also align with the cities’ goals of preserving their cultural heritage for future generations.
Setting a road map for sustainable tourism
As cities like Venice and Barcelona navigate the complexities of over-tourism, their innovative measures can serve as a blueprint for others facing similar challenges.
By limiting visitor numbers, increasing tourist taxes, promoting alternative destinations, and enhancing local engagement, these cities are working towards a more sustainable and balanced approach to tourism.
However, it is not all one-sided. It is also essential for travellers to recognise their role in this equation, embracing responsible tourism practices that respect local cultures and environments.
How these vibrant and popular cities will look in the future, will depend upon finding harmony between the influx of visitors and the quality of life for residents.
Future tourism professionals will need to recognise their role as key actors within this delicate equation. On the one hand, booming tourism numbers are great for the travel sector and those working within it.
However, the future must be mapped carefully otherwise a tipping point will be reached where tourism to certain locations becomes unsustainable.
If we are to preserve these much-loved destinations, due care and consideration must come from all stakeholders - city authorities, tourists and industry professionals.
It is encouraging to see steps already being taken, and it is to be hoped that this tricky path can be successfully negotiated for the benefit of all.
The desired destination seems clear, we just need to make sure we arrive there...
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