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Protests over mass tourism could spread beyond Spain, UNESCO official says

Politiko 2024-08-09 19:15:23

Protests over mass tourism could spread beyond Spain, UNESCO official says

Rising visitor numbers, rising housing prices have helped create situations that are "totally out of balance," a UNESCO official said, adding that a failure to address these issues could trigger the Spanish wave of protests. against mass tourism throughout Europe.

Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Spain's most popular destinations in recent weeks, calling for curbs on mass tourism and an overhaul of a business model they say has driven up house prices and driven locals out of the cities.

From Málaga to Mallorca and Gran Canaria to Granada, organizers have stressed that the protests are not against tourism, per se, but rather a call for a more balanced approach.

 Peter DeBrine, senior official of UNESCO's sustainable tourism project said "What we are seeing is that we are crossing a threshold of tolerance in these destinations," he said. "Now it is completely out of balance," writes The Guardian.

He pointed to a host of factors to explain why many in Spain - long one of the world's most popular tourist destinations - are now leading the backlash against the industry. Chief among them was the housing crisis, he said, describing it as "the straw that broke the camel's back".

Tourism has exacerbated existing housing affordability concerns, as the proliferation of short-term accommodation squeezes out local residents.  

 UNESCO has long promoted travel, demonstrating its unique ability to foster an appreciation of cultural heritage across the globe. But in an age of social media, that seeming ideal has become a tougher sell, DeBrine said.

Hundreds staged a protest at a picturesque harbor to complain about overcrowding and environmental degradation caused by the many influencers flocking to the site to capture the perfect photo.

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