Europe is preparing for an unprecedented day of protests against mass tourism. On June 15, 2025 he will see coordinated events in numerous tourist cities of the continent, with activists who will use water pistols and signs to raise awareness of the devastating impact of uncontrolled tourism.
The alarm of the Southern Europe network against the “Touristification”
The Southern Europe Network Against Touristification organized this mobilization after a meeting held in Barcelona in April. Activists do not intend to attack individual tourists, but denounce the social and environmental consequences of mass tourism that is literally expelling residents from their cities.
In Majorca he promises to be the largest anti-tourism event ever seen, with 60 groups that will take to the streets with the slogan “For the right to a dignified life; enough touristification”.
When cities become playgrounds
Residents of the most popular tourist destinations are experiencing a real housing crisis. The dizzying increase in rents, the transformation of public spaces into tourist attractions and the environmental impact are making daily life impossible for those who were born and raised.
Protests are not new: already in April in Barcelona the activists had surrounded tourist buses at the Sagrada Familia, using water guns and shouting slogans against mass tourism.
Tourism will not slow down, on the contrary it is destined to grow more and more. For this reason, a responsible approach is needed that involves governments, tour operators, cruise companies and airlines.
The proposed solutions include trips to smaller groups, tourism in the less crowded seasons, exploration of alternative destinations and support for local activities.
Drastic measures all over the world
The phenomenon of the loveourism is pushing numerous countries to adopt increasingly severe measures: Venice has doubled the entrance fee for daily visitors, bringing it from 5 to 10 euros for those who do not book at least four days in advance. Spain eliminated the “golden visa” that allowed to obtain residence by purchasing properties for at least 500,000 euros. Malaga has forbidden new tourist rental properties in 43 neighborhoods for three years.
Japan is evaluating to increase the residence fee in Kyoto ten times, while the tax to climb Mount Fuji has already doubled to 4000 yen.
Italy has made it more difficult to obtain citizenship by descendants, now requesting that it is a parent or grandfather to have been born in the country, no longer the great -grandparents.
A necessary balance
The protests of June 15 represent an alarm cry that cannot be ignored. Tourism, although fundamental for the economy of many destinations, cannot transform entire cities into thematic parks to the detriment of those who live there.
The challenge is to find a sustainable balance that allows to preserve the cultural and environmental identity of the places, while guaranteeing the right of residents to live in their city dignity. Only through a more conscious and responsible tourism will it be possible to prevent this social tension from exploding in increasingly serious conflicts.
