Carol Savage, chief executive of Not In The Guidebooks, fears overtourism could ruin Europe’s most popular coastal destinations unless immediate action is taken
Over the last few weeks, we have all witnessed the horrifying and disappointing protests that are currently taking place in the Balearics and other areas of Spain and can all empathise with the nation’s locals fighting for their right to have an affordable place to live. We are also seeing them take this frustration out on visiting tourists with water guns in protest – even though they of course understand the value that holidaymakers bring to their country and what they deliver to their economy.
Surely as an industry we can see what ‘overtourism’ is doing to the once-idyllic shores of Spain’s beloved islands and how today the islands and their people are increasingly coming under siege. Isn’t it high time we heed their cries?
For me, the solution is clear, though it may ruffle some feathers in the tourism industry: we have to look at ways to combat this worrying situation. One thing surely is that we look at how cruise ships can avoid docking at small ports during the peak season. In a matter of hours, these floating cities disperse thousands of tourists into towns that are ill-equipped to handle such numbers. The result? Overcrowded streets, overwhelmed infrastructure, and a community left to cope with the aftermath once they set sail for their next port of call.
We in the travel industry have a responsibility to do better. At Not in the Guidebooks, we’ve built our business on the principle of authentic, community-supporting travel experiences. We seek to disperse tourists away from overrun hotspots and encourage off-peak visits. This isn’t just good business – it’s ethical tourism that benefits local communities rather than exploiting them.
The scenes we have been seeing across our media show that the writing is on the wall. Overtourism will continue to ravage our coastal jewels, unless we take decisive, immediate action. Banning cruise ships during the peak months could be the start. Encouraging travellers to visit a destination’s lesser known but equally beautiful resorts could be another measure.
Overtourism will continue to erode the very essence of what makes these destinations special unless we take decisive action now. Let’s reimagine tourism – not as an invasive force, but as a catalyst for cultural exchange and economic empowerment. Only then can we ensure that the shores of Spain remain open to those who truly cherish them, locals and visitors alike.
Maybe it’s time we in the travel industry face an uncomfortable truth: we’re part of the problem. But we can also be part of the solution.