Widespread Protests Erupt Across Southern Europe Against Mass Tourism

Across Southern Europe, including cities in Spain, Italy, and Portugal, widespread protests have erupted against overtourism, driven by locals' concerns over rising housing costs, environmental damage, and declining quality of life. Demonstrations in Barcelona, Mallorca, Venice, Lisbon, and other popular destinations featured water guns, banners, and slogans such as "mass tourism kills the city" and "tourists, go home," highlighting frustrations with tourism's impact on local communities. Workers at the Louvre museum in Paris also staged a strike, calling attention to the strain mass tourism places on cultural institutions and their staff. Protest organizers emphasize that the issue is not tourists themselves but the speculation and exploitation by those profiting from tourism-related real estate and hospitality sectors. The World Travel & Tourism Council acknowledged tourism's economic importance but stressed the need for responsible practices that balance growth with community wellbeing, while urging local governments to address complex systemic challenges such as housing shortages. These movements reflect a growing demand for sustainable tourism models that protect residents' interests and preserve cultural and environmental resources.