overtourism

The Spanish city is a popular short break destination as well as being popular with groups who want to enjoy the lively atmosphere, but a new ban could see their parties cut short

A Spanish city which is a major tourist destination for Brits, including stag and hen parties, is introducing a brand new rule in an effort to curb antisocial behaviour linked to drinking.

Barcelona, which sees over 500,000 Brits visiting each year, has banned pub crawls citywide at all hours of the day. Previously, pub crawls were only banned in the area of Ciutat Vella and L’Eixample, which had restrictions between 7PM and 7AM.

On the official website for Barcelona City Council, a statement explained how it defines a pub crawl: “Pub crawling is a business that takes customers on organised drinking tours to a series of establishments that offer discounted alcoholic drinks.

“It typically involves quickly consuming one or more low-quality drinks before heading to the next stop.”

The statement went on to say: “This activity has been identified as a risk factor that causes disturbances in neighbourhoods, puts extra strain on public spaces and potentially leads to criminal behaviour or road safety violations.”

It also confirmed: “The new decree introduces a permanent ban that applies 24 hours a day, year-round, rather than being only seasonal. ” It stated that the new ban will be in place for four years. The change came into force yesterday (October 29).

Organisers who ignore the ban and plan an event could find themselves hit with fines of up to €3,000. While participants in an organised pub crawl wouldn’t face charges, authorities could potentially give them fines for public drinking or other disturbances, which range from €100 to €3,000.

The move is the latest in a long-line of measures brought in by authorities to ease the impact of tourism on Barcelona, and other Spanish destinations could follow suit.

In May, it was announced that Spain was cracking down on holiday rentals, with authorities ordering Airbnb to remove 65,000 properties from their website. Reasons such as lack of licence numbers and unclear ownership records were cited for the mass removal. Many of the delisted properties were in popular areas such as Barcelona and Malaga.

Demonstrations against overtourism have also taken place over the last couple of years, with hundreds of protesters taking to the streets of Barcelona waving banners with slogans such as “tourists go home”.

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A trade union in the Balearic Islands has even proposed a €15 a day tourist tax during high season to work as a “deterrent” for tourists. The union’s general secretary said: “”This is not an increase aimed at raising revenue, but rather a deterrent, so that the Balearic Islands send a clear message to the world that there’s no room for more people here during the high season.”

Some resorts have also dealt a blow to Brits who were hoping to enjoy copious amounts of booze. Those visiting certain areas of Majorca and Ibiza may find themselves limited to six drinks a day, even if they’ve paid for all-inclusive.

A picturesque market town has become one of the most desirable places to live in England, but locals say it’s a victim of its own success.

Winding cobbled lanes snake past vibrant shop fronts, ancient stone homes perch on steep slopes, and the River Calder sparkles beneath graceful canal arches.

Hebden Bridge, tucked away in the Calder Valley’s embrace between Halifax and Todmorden, resembles a town lifted directly from a picture-perfect greeting card.

This former industrial mill settlement has transformed into one of northern England’s most coveted residential destinations, consistently featuring on rankings of Britain’s most scenic, tight-knit communities.

However, conversations with locals reveal a different narrative: one of fondness mixed with weariness. Despite its undeniable charm, Hebden Bridge’s appeal creates significant challenges, reports the Express.

Residents complain of excessive visitor numbers, insufficient car parking facilities, and a growing concern that the equilibrium between locals and day-trippers is tilting dangerously.

Even during a mundane Thursday afternoon, well beyond the peak summer influx, finding a parking spot proves elusive.

Motorists patrol the town centre, scanning adjacent roads desperately for an available bay. As one local quipped: “You can spend longer finding somewhere to park than enjoying your coffee.”

Ben Oliver, 39, who relocated from Sunderland in March 2020, shared similar sentiments.

“It’s a beautiful place with a strong community, and you can see the moors from here,” he said. “But town parking can get difficult, and because of the tourists it attracts, prices go up.

“Weekends are the worst. Sometimes you just give up trying to park and walk in from the edge of town.

“It’s great that people visit because it brings life and money in, but it also means locals get squeezed a bit.

“You notice it most when you’re trying to rent or buy. Prices shoot up because everyone wants a piece of it.

“In summer the streets are packed, and you end up avoiding the centre altogether until things quieten down.”

Yet despite these difficulties, it’s simple to understand why countless visitors are enchanted by this location.

Unique independent shops line Market Street, whilst artisan bakeries fill the streets with the aroma of cinnamon, and the surrounding wooded hills transform into brilliant gold during autumn.

Hebden Bridge boasts a remarkable legacy of determination and transformation, evolving from its Victorian textile roots to becoming a sanctuary for creatives, musicians and eco-campaigners.

Shop worker Jess Wild, who relocated here two years ago, explained it’s precisely that artistic, neighbourhood atmosphere that attracted her: “It’s an aesthetically beautiful place, and the shops have a strong sense of community.

“Everyone knows each other, and there’s real warmth here. But there’s not too much diversity in the type of shops, as there are too many eating places catering to tourists. Still, it’s a lovely place to live.”

This delicate equilibrium between appeal and tourism is frequently raised by residents. The proliferation of cafés and eateries has maintained the town’s energy, though some believe this progress has its drawbacks.

“You used to see more quirky little stores,” Jess added. “Now it’s coffee shops and brunch spots. It’s what visitors want, but it changes the feel of the place.

“You can’t blame people for wanting to come, but it changes the atmosphere. When you’ve got crowds lining the canal and queues outside every café, it stops feeling like a small town and more like a weekend attraction. It’s lovely, but it can be a bit much.”

For Paul Anyon, 57, who operates Paul’s Fresh Fish from his market truck every Thursday, transformation has been ongoing: “I’ve been coming here for 24 years, took over from my father who did the same before me,” he said, skillfully wrapping up a piece of haddock for a punter.

“It’s a busy stall in a quiet town, at least it used to be. Over the years, I’ve noticed a lot of southerners moving in. Prices have gone up, but people are paying more to buy from local businesses, and that’s great to see.”

Standing close by, loyal customer John Smith, 65, waits calmly with his glass Tupperware container in hand.

“Paul always tells me what’s good this week,” he said. “You just couldn’t get fish like this from a supermarket.”

His remark captures what makes Hebden Bridge distinctive: a community economy that continues to flourish on individual relationships and confidence. Not everyone here calls it home.

Numerous people, like Michelle and Tim Holroyd, travel in from surrounding areas to experience what Hebden Bridge provides.

“We come about once a month from Halifax,” said Michelle. “We always go to the Old Gate pub; the food’s fantastic. There are great charity shops and antique shops, too.”

Her other half, Tim, chimed in: “We’re both ex-Scouts, so we love walking in the countryside around here. When there are big events on, we take the train instead of driving – it’s easier.”

It’s the surrounding landscape that lends Hebden Bridge its enchanting charm. The moors rise abruptly from the valley, blanketed in heather and intersected by stone paths. It’s no surprise that writer Ted Hughes, who was born nearby, found a wealth of inspiration in these hills.

The town is also celebrated for its alternative spirit, a robust LGBTQ+ community, thriving arts scene, and a reputation as one of the UK’s most forward-thinking small towns.

For 72-year-old David Moody, it’s this blend of natural beauty and neighbourly connection that makes Hebden Bridge unbeatable, even if it sometimes feels too popular for its own good.

“It’s a walker’s paradise,” he said, leaning against a table as he chatted with passers-by about kindness and community.

“The countryside’s beautiful, but there are too many tourists, especially in summer. It gets too busy, and parking is hard to find anywhere.

“Still, I love it here. I’d only ever move south if I won the lottery, and that’d just be for the weather.”

And despite the frustrations, that seems to be the prevailing sentiment, a kind of affectionate exasperation.

Hebden Bridge may have its shortcomings, but its community spirit, natural splendour, and sense of belonging keep residents firmly planted here. Even on a crisp afternoon, the market bustles with animated conversation, cafés are alive with chatter, and the canal towpath is peppered with ramblers and cyclists.

At Little H Café, where sunshine poured through the windows on a surprisingly luminous October day, barista Ellie Sim beamed as she passed over a toasted panini.

“People always think the north is dreary, but it’s been gorgeous all day. Everyone’s in a good mood when the sun comes out,” she said.

Hebden Bridge stands as a tribute to small-town Britain, where stunning countryside meets a fiercely independent character. Even the grumbles about parking, tourists, or an abundance of cafés serve as evidence that people are deeply passionate about the place they call home.

A union secretary said they wanted to send the message that “there’s no room for more people here during the high season” and that the tax was intended as a deterrent for potential visitors

Brits planning a break in the Balearic Islands next summer have been warned they could face a tourist tax hike.

The CCOO, a major trade union on the Spanish islands, have proposed hiking the current tourist tax to €15 a day (approximately £13.08). This would affect Brits visiting holiday hotspots such as Majorca, Ibiza, and Menorca. The proposed tax would apply for stays during July and August, the busiest months on the Mediterranean islands.

The Balearic Islands already have a tourist tax in place, which is between €0.5 and €4 a day (approximately £0.44 and £3.49). The amount of tax paid depends on whether tourists visit during the peak or low season, and the type of accommodation they stay in.

Children under 16 are exempt from paying the current tourist tax, and there’s a 50% discount for longer stays, which is applied after the eighth night. According to the government of the islands, this tax is used for purposes such as sustainable tourism initiatives and preserving cultural heritage.

The proposed increase would mean a seven night break in peak season would see each adult charged approximately £91.52 in tourist taxes.

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The CCOO made clear that the higher tax being proposed wasn’t for the benefit of the islands, but rather to keep people away. According to Majorca Daily News, General Secretary José Luis García said: “This is not an increase aimed at raising revenue, but rather a deterrent, so that the Balearic Islands send a clear message to the world that there’s no room for more people here during the high season.”

He added: “To reduce summer overcrowding, it’s not enough to curb demand; we must also act on supply.”

The news outlet also reported that the CCOO is asking the government to put a hold on new tourist accommodation places, aiming to cut visitor numbers but attract higher-value tourists. Due to the housing crisis in the Balearics, they also want the island declared a “stressed area” and for 40,000 public housing properties to be created.

The move is the latest in a long line of proposals aimed at reducing the pressure of tourism on the popular Balearic Islands. Over the summer, Majorca was named the most unwelcoming spot for British tourists in Europe, with anti-tourism protests cited among the reasons for the dubious honour.

Summer 2024 and 2025 were marked with protests across the islands, but especially in Majorca, where protestors occupied beaches while waving anti-tourist banners. A number of Mirror readers revealed they’d be ditching Spain due to the protests and what they dubbed “anti-British sentiment”.

Speaking to the Mirror over the summer, Kevin Durkin who visited various Spanish destinations over 30 years said: “Over the last few years, the anti-British sentiment has just grown. Some bar owners have put up signs telling the British to keep away and some hotel owners don’t want us either.

“I do not need Spain, they can keep their latest charges and hatred of the British. I will not be back, neither will my friends or family. Adios.”

While Linda Munro revealed that overcrowding at border control at the airport had made her summer trip to Majorca stressful: “My husband and I got through the scanners, no problem. However, the rest of the family had to queue for an hour and a half.

“On the way back, it was worse, as people were worried they might miss their flights home. Our family just made it on time. They all said they wouldn’t be back abroad anytime soon.”

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Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy has criticised the Spanish left-wing government for allegedly attracting rich travellers to the country, saying it goes against its ‘socialist utopia’

An airline chief has slammed Spain’s government, accusing it of courting hypocrisy by supposedly targeting wealthy tourists to visit the country.

Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy believes this contradicts the nation’s ‘socialist utopia’ principles. Speaking at the Association of British Travel Agents’ annual conference – taking place on the Spanish island of Mallorca – he branded tourism officials’ desire for affluent holidaymakers as “absolutely disgraceful”.

Mr Heapy addressed the government’s campaign “Think you know Spain? Think again”, which the airline boss has argued is calling for a different, richer type of tourist to visit the country.

“When you boil down what they’ve said, ‘we want a different type of customer’. They basically want rich people, which doesn’t fit given Spain is supposed to be a socialist utopia,” the Jet2 boss said.

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“I don’t think it’s very fair. I don’t think holidays should be something for the rich and privileged. I think holidays should be something for everyone. And if a prerequisite to going on holidays is being rich, I think that’s absolutely disgraceful.”, reports the Express.

The promotional material comes after widespread demonstrations against tourism across Spain, with protesters telling visitors to “go home” and even dousing them with water pistols. Earlier this year, Mr Heapy revealed Jet2 “had people ringing the call centre and going into travel agents, asking questions like ‘is Spain safe’, ‘are we still welcome in the resort’.”

He noted this is “becoming a big issue, unfortunately, and perception becomes truth.”

The Spanish government is using adverts to encourage tourists to enjoy slower, more sustainable holidays, showcasing attractions such as wineries, luxury medieval castle hotels, surf camps, truffle tasting, and “gastronomic experiences with seasonal produce”.

The campaign’s website states: “There is another way to travel. Calmer, more aware, more personal. In Spain you will want to stop in every village and landscape to discover its culture and connect with the environment.”

Mr Heapy admitted that several of Spain’s top tourist hotspots are grappling with issues stemming from poor tourism management. He largely blamed this on unregulated short-term rentals, especially through platforms like Airbnb.

He proposed that hosts operating without the correct licences or tax registration should face hefty fines – up to €250,000 (around £217,000) – and potential prison time if fines remain unpaid. Jet2, Britain’s biggest package-holiday airline, transported nearly 18 million passengers last year, according to The Telegraph.

In recent years, more destinations and their tourism boards have spoken of wanting ‘high-value tourists’. The term has emerged in response to mass tourism and the problems that it can cause for local populations.

High volumes of holidaymakers on cheap package holidays can put strain on public services and push up house prices, while not adding as much to the local economy as some would like.

Shifting a destination’s tourism model from one that attracts mass-market visitors to a smaller group of richer travellers is not easy, however, as perceptions of a place tend to stick, and facilities take time and money to improve.

The Spanish Tourism Board declined to comment.

A once tranquil fishing village famed for featuring in the TV series Doc Martin is now said to be inundated with visitors

Port Isaac, the picturesque Cornish village known for its role in the TV series Doc Martin and as the birthplace of sea-shanty band Fisherman’s Friends, is said to struggling under the weight of its own popularity.

The once peaceful fishing village, with its charming whitewashed cottages overlooking a harbour, is now teeming with tourists during the summer months. However, it has been reported that the lower part of Port Isaac has seen a significant drop in its population, with only about 30 residents remaining during the spring and autumn shoulder seasons.

Despite the influx of visitors drawn by its association with Doc Martin, Port Isaac has long been a favourite location for TV and film makers. The village served as the backdrop for the 2000 comedy thriller Saving Grace, as well as the original BBC Poldark series from the 1970s.

Local fisherman, Tom Brown, told the Telegraph that while visitor numbers have increased, they are spending less than previous tourists. He revealed that older locals “hate it” and avoid the bottom of Port Isaac, claiming “it’s ruined”.

However, Mr Brown believes that while the village has “definitely changed”, it isn’t ruined.

The surge in second-home ownership has reportedly priced local families out of the market. According to Rightmove, house prices in the village averaged £425,140 over the last year, reports the Express.

The online property website also noted that most properties sold in Port Isaac over the past year were detached houses, fetching an average price of £490,000.

Terraced houses were sold for an average price of £406,250, while flats went for £333,200. The Halifax House Price Index reported a UK-wide average of £299,331 in August.

Travel and Tour World has reported that a “steep” rise in property prices is driving locals away from Port Isaac, with those who stay facing an “overwhelming” cost of living.

Local businesses have also felt the impact of the surge in visitors over the summer, struggling to meet the demand from the influx of tourists and dealing with challenges during quieter periods.

Cornwall Council’s councillor responsible for homes, Olly Munk, stated that housing in the county is in a state of crisis, with more than 24,000 people on the local authority’s waiting list.

In 2024, the council added 775 “affordable” homes to the county’s total, and there are 600 sites approved for housing. Under a Government scheme, the county is required to build over 4,000 houses annually.

New research suggests that British travellers are forgoing their beloved summer hotspots like Greece and Spain in favour of more far-flung destinations like Thailand

According to new research, some key non-European destinations have enticed Brits away from their typical hotspots this summer.

While Italy, Spain and Greece continue to deal with the repercussions of over-tourism, British travellers are casting their holiday sight further abroad. Virgin Media O2 data suggests that visitors to Spain have dropped by about 9% year-on-year, with anti-tourism protests potentially giving British holidaymakers pause.

Visits to Greece and Portugal are also down by 7% and 5% respectively, the data suggests. Destinations like Thailand, Canada and the US are on British travel radars this year.

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Visits to France were even eclipsed by those of the US this summer, which brought in 17% of British travellers compared to France’s 14%. Canada now accounts for 9% of trips from the UK and the United Arab Emirates has enjoyed 8% of the British tourist allocation.

Thailand and Australia both earned 5% of visitors, which may have to do with The White Lotus effect. In fact, the TV series drove so much tourism to Thailand that it threatened to bury one of the paradise islands.

The exceptionally hot weather in the UK this summer could have also influenced why Brits didn’t feel the need to storm their sunny EU holiday destinations.

When it comes to last-minute getaways however, the data shows that convenience is still a top priority for British holidaymakers. Resorts that are a short-haul flight away still saw the biggest influx of travellers. Almost 38% of Brits will take late breaks to Spain while Greece will see 25% and Italy 23%.

Christian Hindennach, chief commercial officer at Virgin Media O2 said of the latest research: “As Brits explore new holiday spots beyond Europe, we’re proud to keep them connected wherever they may roam.

He continues: “From last-minute trips to far-flung adventures, we’re committed to keeping our customers connected without the worry of hidden fees, so they can focus on enjoying their time away.”

That said, months of active overtourism demonstrations across Spain in particular has been bad news for tourism revenue in some parts of the country.

A once busy Spanish city is now “dead” as Brits have reportedly abandoned the destination for other holiday spots.. Footage has surfaced online showing the area’s completely deserted streets.

Laura, who goes by lauratravelvlogs on TikTok, has been chronicling some stark changes in Barcelona this year, having resided there herself for over two years. She noted a significant drop in visitor numbers and, for months, she’s been posting videos of Spain’s vacant streets, silent roads and empty beaches to illustrate the drastic shift in the country’s tourism landscape.

In a recent video featuring eerily quiet roads, Laura questioned: “Sorry, no one can argue that these roads leading up to the beach were not packed in 2023?”

Many visitors are left thinking nobody really lives in the village – but locals insist it’s got a strong community spirit

Locals in a picturesque UK village, which sees many businesses shut and homes left vacant during the harsh winter months, have praised its “amazing” and vibrant community.

Polperro, nestled in South East Cornwall, is like something out of a grim fairy tale. With its charming yet not overly twee appearance, it was once a haven for smugglers keen to evade the taxman.

Nowadays, many tourists mistake Polperro for some sort of pirate-themed amusement park. They assume that no one resides in its labyrinth of narrow streets – most of which are too slim for cars – that cascade down a lush valley into the historic harbour.

In the summer, these visitors swarm Polperro like the pilchards that were once landed here, along with other contraband goods.

However, come winter, this influx of tourists dwindles to a mere trickle, leaving the streets deserted and many of Polperro’s galleries, restaurants and gift shops closed.

Yet, the locals who do reside here maintain that there is still a robust sense of community spirit, even if most now live up on the hillsides rather than in the heart of the old village itself.

They insist it’s a fantastic place to live – despite the issues that over-tourism and second homes can bring, reports the Express.

Fran Martin, an employee at the 18th-century Blue Peter Inn overlooking the harbour, has called Polperro home for over two decades. She reveals that the village’s population has decreased by a third during her time there.

She said: “There were 300 people living down here in the village when I came here – there’s just 200 now. Nobody can afford to live here.

“I feel very sorry for the youngsters – it’s ridiculous,” she laments, expressing worries that local youth are being priced out. This is a worry mirrored in communities across Cornwall and other areas popularised by mass tourism.

When questioned about the winter season, Fran said: “It’s dead. Some places do try to stay open, but there just aren’t that many people here.”

Kim Thompson, of Ocean’s Studio – specialising in Moorcross pottery and Anita Harris ceramics – for the past four years, after relocating to Polperro from Stoke-on-Trent.

She said that the winters here are “deadly”. “It goes very quiet – and very wet,” she adds.

“It changes dramatically. But that suits certain people, who are looking for a quieter holiday,” Kim continues.

She keeps her pottery studio open until the end of December, then closes from January until the end of March. Kim often retreats to Stoke-on-Trent during these winter months, but she maintains that Polperro still boasts a “great” community.

“It’s a real community – and that surprises people,” she shares. “Living here, you really do get to know everyone in the village.

“Everybody gets along and we all look out for one another. It’s a great community”.

Artist Gina Farrell runs a gallery and painting studio just across the road from Kim’s ceramics workshop.

She has called Polperro home for around 40 years and is adamant the village retains its tight-knit community spirit.

“It is very quiet in the winter,” she acknowledges, revealing she closes shop in January before reopening for February half term and weekends.

But Gina says she’d be in her studio creating artwork regardless – so she might as well welcome visitors to her gallery whilst she’s there.

Gina considers herself “very lucky” to have nabbed a housing association property “up on the hill”.

She’s witnessed firsthand the chaos caused by excessive tourism and second-home buyers.

She told the Express: “When my kids were little, we moved from place to place – and they would all be sold by their owners. I think I was a lucky charm for anybody who wanted to sell their house.”

Yet she reveals that second homes are now being offloaded and permanent residents are returning – a shift also seen in nearby Looe, where BBC One’s Beyond Paradise films.

Gina reckons spiralling energy bills – combined with a dramatic drop in holiday rental bookings – are behind (or responsible for) this dramatic turnaround.

“Lots of people do move here,” says Gina.

“I love living here. It’s a real community. We all know each other and help each other.”

Lee Gregory, whose family has owned Polperro’s Model Village for nearly four decades, lived above the business in the heart of the old village but now resides on a small holding on the outskirts.

He insists that Polperro “is a great community”.

While he acknowledges that most residents now live up on the hill rather than nearer the harbour, he maintains that it’s “still a good community down here”.

He also notes that the sense of community continues into the winter months. “It still has a community feel – it’s just a lot quieter,” Lee remarks.

“You do see a few more people around at weekends – and you still see people in the pubs!”Some of the holiday cottages have been sold, and that’s been a real boost to the community. “However, Lee still shuts the model village for much of the winter, only opening for the busier Christmas period. Artist Jasmine Rebecca Cave doesn’t even bother with Christmas.

Jasmine only opens her tiny kiosk gallery – which is so small she sits outside of it in the street – for the summer season. Despite living a 40-minute drive away in Carlyon Bay near St Austell, she says that Polperro has an “amazing” community – even during the winter.

Jasmine said: “It’s an amazing community here. I probably know more people here than I do where I live – you just can’t avoid people here, so you get to know everyone.

“The community stays really vibrant, even in the winter. It’s lovely atmosphere – very quirky. I think the locals quite like the winter – they get their village back.”

The pretty UK seaside town will be familiar to many as the fictional Devon town of Shipton Abbot in the BBC’s Death in Paradise spin-off, Beyond Paradise

Second-home owners are said to be selling their properties in a stunning UK seaside town that draws crowds of tourists – and fans of the TV detective drama Beyond Paradise.

While the comeback of full-time residents to homes that were previously vacant for months on end is being celebrated, there’s still concern. A local property agent has warned that first-time purchasers continue to be priced out with some residents being compelled to live in tents and sofa-surf.

They claim that dwellings in the picturesque town have become unaffordable due to wealthy Londoners relocating from the capital for the peace the coastal location provides.

Looe, in Cornwall, will be recognisable to many as the fictional Devon town of Shipton Abbot in the BBC’s Death in Paradise spin-off. Like numerous locations in this gorgeous corner of Britain, second homes and holiday rentals can be a contentious issue – with some residents being rather unwelcoming.

Most, nevertheless, acknowledge that tourism is essential, even if it does carry a price. Sara Barron, 54, helps operate The Haven, the base of the Boundless Trust, a community centre that runs holiday clubs for local youngsters and helps address local deprivation and homelessness in Looe and its neighbouring villages, reports the Express.

On a bright summer day, when Looe was crammed with visitors, Sara said: “Looe needs tourism and second homes are part of that. What doesn’t help is when people don’t let them out – then they sit empty for most of the year.”

Sara, who relocated to Looe from Portsmouth six years ago, explains that there “are also lots of restrictions” on residential lettings and that Airbnbs “have less restrictions”, making it simpler for landlords to rent them out as holiday accommodation.

“Landlords can get more renting them out for eight weeks in the summer than for renting them out all year [as a home],” she said. “And what homes there are, are unaffordable for many locals.”

The consequence of all this, according to Sara, is that so-called “hidden homelessness” – people sofa-surfing and living in tents and vans, rather than sleeping rough on the streets – is a genuine issue in Looe.

Sara said: “We don’t get many street sleepers, but there are lots of people sofa-surfing, sleeping in tents on campsites or in campervans. There’s a lot of hidden homelessness.

“We gave out a few tents to people last summer who were working here and living on campsites.”

Nevertheless, local businessman Sam Chapman holds a somewhat different perspective. The 30 year old, who has resided in the Looe area his entire life, runs Pengelly’s fishmonger shop and lives on his family’s farm on the town’s outskirts.

He said the surge in second homes and holiday lets has “driven prices up” and he can “understand why other people get angry about” the issue. Nevertheless, Sam said he hasn’t been personally impacted – and that all his employees have secured accommodation.

“All my friends have found houses – there’s the new estates and stuff,” he adds. Yet, Sam confesses that he doesn’t reside in Looe itself, so he doesn’t feel the impact as much as others might.

Clive Gardner, who lives in the heart of Looe’s old town above his business, Clive’s Cat’s Cartoons, a gallery and framers, with a waffle hut, shares his perspective. The 71 year old, who spends the winter months in Thailand, said: “Quite a few of the houses in the back street are second homes.

“There is nowhere to rent, so lots of businesses struggle to get staff, because they have nowhere to live.

“But it is still a really good community, it’s still a really good place to live. People know you – you walk down the street and people say hello.”

His partner, Mandy Rose said: “If people are coming down and using them [second homes], then great – but it’s not good if they’re left empty. The problem is, there’s no control over it – and there’s no going back.

“But there is still a really good sense of community here. And we do live in a really lovely part of the UK.”

Clive and Mandy reside in the maze of alleyways that makeup Looe’s old town – an area that frequently floods. Many of the residents who once lived here have long since moved away.

The Boundless Trust provides meals to several elderly individuals who once resided here but have since relocated to the outskirts. Sara Barron, a representative of the trust, shared: “The fishermen’s cottages all used to be lived in. They [elderly Looe residents] talk about how they grew up playing in the streets, getting fish from the local boats.

“That’s changed – but that was 50 or 60 years ago. I don’t think many of those houses have people living in them now.”

This part of town, which boasts buildings dating back to the 15th century, is adjacent to the quayside. Among the cafes and restaurants in this vibrant riverside location is the Uncharted gift shop.

Kelly Jones, co-owner of Uncharted, has been a Looe resident her entire life. The 41 year old said: “Personally, I wish there weren’t so many of them [second homes]. There just seems be more and more of them.

“Local people need to rent and there’s just nothing available. I rent privately, but I’ve been very lucky. I’ve always rented from someone I known. “I’ve lived in two or three different properties over the years, and have great references, so it hasn’t been a problem for me.

“But for the children growing up here, the 18 and 19 year olds they can’t afford or can’t find anything – which is really hard if they don’t want to leave Looe.”

Across the river from Uncharted, in West Looe, Kelly’s sister, Carla Jones, runs an estate agent business. She returned to her hometown eight years ago, after spending a decade in London.

She noted that the landscape is shifting, with many second homes and holiday lets being converted back into full-time residences. However, she also highlighted that local first-time buyers are still being priced out of the market, describing the rental situation as “impossible”.

Carla said: “During Covid, there was a huge number of people who had second homes who sold up because they knew they were never going to get those prices again. People were looking to relocate during Covid and were buying them to live in”.

“It’s nice – there are lights on now. People are living in these homes now. It’s building the community back up. There needs to be a balance if Looe is to survive.

“And people who didn’t jump on the bandwagon during Covid, who took their time, are now looking at relocating. They’ve seen that Cornwall could work for them – even though it is a huge lifestyle change.

“These can be people with high-paid corporate jobs. They’re bringing their careers down with them on their laptops and working from home in Cornwall – that’s bringing more money to the area.

“But it’s still very difficult for locals – getting on the property ladder can be very tricky. First-time buyers face so many restrictions, from lenders. There’s nothing in my window they could afford.

“People earning £20,000 a year [An average wage in Cornwall] have got no hope. Local people can’t afford to get on the ladder – but it’s not just [mortgage] affordability.

“People can’t afford 10 per cent deposits – people haven’t got £30,000 or £40,000 sitting in their back pockets. It’s only really people whose family can help and get gifted deposits.

“People relocating are buying the homes that would have been taken by first-time buyers. When first-time buyers can’t buy, you haven’t really got a sustainable market.”

Houses in Looe carried an overall average price tag of £304,342 over the past year, dropping from the 2021 peak of £379k.

Terraced homes can be snapped up for around £80,000 less at an average of £222,399, whilst detached houses went for an average of £422,143.

Carla added that locals priced out of purchasing can find letting equally challenging. “The rental market is impossible,” she said.

“I have 22 residential rentals on my books – but none of them are vacant. And I’ve got 30 clients looking for homes to rent – but I’ve got nothing I can offer them.

“Landlords are not being supported by the government. A lot of landlords jumped on the covid bandwagon and sold up. A very big percentage of rental properties got taken out from under people, who had section 21 notices served on them.

“The new Labour Government are saying they’re going to build more houses, but where? There’s nowhere in Looe to build. And Cornwall County council don’t help – they’re difficult they’re very tight on planning.”

Carla reckons that even if fresh properties were constructed, this would simply create a different set of issues. “Looe just hasn’t got the infrastructure,” she explained.

“The doctor and dentist surgeries are already over-run.

“It sounds so bleak when you talk about it, but it’s the reality for so many people.”

It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK and has become a hotspot for tourists in recent years – but locals say the town is now unbearable.

Whitby, the charming seaside town on the North Yorkshire coast, has become one of the UK’s top tourist hotspots in recent years.

With its breathtaking views and links to literary greats like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, it’s no surprise that tourists are drawn to its quaint cobbled streets.

However, this boom in tourism is putting the very essence of the community at risk. A study by HeyDiscount placed Whitby among the UK’s most congested tourist locations.

In a town with a mere 12,500 inhabitants, there are now over 1,800 holiday rentals, a staggering figure that underscores the profound effect tourism has had on housing availability and affordability, reports the Express.

“You can’t walk down the street without bumping into someone with a camera or a bag of fish and chips,” says Alan Cuthbert, a lifelong Whitby resident and fisherman. “For us locals, it’s a nightmare. Traffic’s worse, parking’s a joke, and the peace we used to have is long gone.”

The influx of tourists and second-home buyers has pushed property prices to such an extent that many locals can no longer afford to live in their own town.

According to Rightmove data, the average property price in Whitby now stands at £266,917, significantly above the regional average. This surge has left many residents in a precarious situation.

Mr Cuthbert observed: “Houses that used to be for families like mine are now being snatched up as holiday lets or second homes. Prices have gone through the roof. I’ve got friends who’ve had to move out of Whitby altogether because they can’t afford to live here anymore.”

The effect of second homes isn’t merely about housing; it’s about community.

Former Mayor Linda Wild told MailOnline: “Where I live, 90 percent of the neighbouring houses are holiday lets or second homes. Every Friday night, I can hear the rattle of suitcase wheels on the pavement.”

This has transformed Whitby into a town where most properties remain vacant for large portions of the year, threatening its character as a tight-knit community.

Despite these difficulties, tourism undoubtedly delivers advantages to local enterprises.

Sarah Bennett, a café proprietor in the town centre, admits that tourism has proved vital for her venture. She said: “My café gets more visitors, which helps keep the business going year-round, not just in the summer.”

Nevertheless, she also acknowledges the drawbacks, especially the burden on local services. She added: “Tourism has definitely put pressure on local amenities. It can be harder to get a doctor’s appointment or find a spot in local schools. The challenge is making sure that the benefits of this investment reach everyone, not just the tourists.”

This split in viewpoints underscores a wider problem in Whitby and comparable tourist destinations. Whilst some locals profit from the tourist boom, others are left dealing with the fallout.

Neil Swannick, a Labour councillor for Whitby Streonshalh ward, sums up this split, saying last year: “there are certainly people that have done well out of tourism in Whitby, but that benefit hasn’t been evenly spread across the residents of the town.”

Tackling the mounting crisis, Whitby locals voted in 2022 to ensure all new-build properties in the town become full-time primary residences, a strategy designed to halt the surge of second homes.

Whilst this ballot was mainly symbolic, it highlights the rising frustration amongst residents.

There’s also a wider campaign for more eco-friendly tourism approaches and affordable housing schemes to guarantee the town stays habitable for its inhabitants. North Yorkshire Council chose to double the council tax for second home proprietors in the area.

Discussing the need to find a balance, Ms Bennett said: “We should welcome tourists, but not at the expense of those who live here. Finding that balance is key to Whitby’s future.”

The picturesque seaside town is facing growing tension over the impact of second home ownership and overtourism, with locals expressing their frustration.

Hunstanton, a delightful coastal town on the Norfolk cost, is grappling with mounting tensions surrounding second home ownership and excessive tourism.

Renowned for its unique striped cliffs and picturesque coastline, Hunstanton has remained a beloved spot for holidaymakers for generations.

Yet residents are growing increasingly angry about the escalating numbers of second homes, which they claim are inflating house prices and making it nearly impossible for locals to secure reasonably-priced accommodation.

Throughout recent years, Hunstanton has witnessed a flood of second-home purchasers drawn to the resort’s idyllic location and peaceful ambience.

Figures revealed that almost 20% of homes in the vicinity are now second homes or holiday lets, reports the Express.

This boom in second-home purchases has triggered alarm amongst residents, who believe their neighbourhood is being stripped of its soul by vacant properties and that essential services are buckling under pressure from the seasonal tourist invasion.

Jane Matthews, a lifelong Hunstanton resident, expressed her frustration: “I’ve seen my hometown change dramatically over the past decade. With so many houses sitting empty for most of the year, it feels like we’re losing the heart of our community. And when the tourists do come, the town is overwhelmed and the streets are crowded.”

The problem of excessive tourism has worsened the difficulties confronting the resort.

Throughout busy periods, Hunstanton’s population balloons, resulting in jammed roads, packed beaches, and heightened strain on community services. The boom in short-term rentals, driven by platforms like Airbnb, has intensified the pressure, with some locals arguing that the town’s distinctive character is being stripped away.

Yet, during quieter months, the explosion of second home ownership and holiday lets has resulted in a dwindling population in Hunstanton, creating what another resident, Mark Fuchter describes as “mini-desert areas” around town where most of the houses are unoccupied for much of the year.

This drop in permanent residents has had a visible effect on the local economy and community spirit. “There is less of a sense of community in these circumstances,” Fuchter noted. “More worryingly, this affects footfall in our shops and use of local services.”

The predicament has sparked comparisons to other British towns grappling with similar issues.

Whilst Hunstanton may not be as deserted as some locations branded as “ghost towns,” like Lyme Regis, Fuchter describe the town as a “kiss-me-quick” town.

He explained: “I like the fact that the town provides holidays for those who may not be able to afford to jet off on foreign holidays. I suspect it is probably busier even in the off-season compared with places that are more highly desirable and upmarket.”

Fuchter recognises that the town’s year-round attraction to budget-conscious tourists may be the reason it remains somewhat livelier during the off-season. However, he also expressed concern about the rising poverty levels in the area, which are often masked by the presence of expensive homes and tourist attractions.

“I volunteer at the local foodbank and have run a Helping Hands warm space community hub. I was shocked by the level of poverty and hardship in this are which I always thought was part of wealthy North Norfolk. Of course, it is both.

“Personally I’m worried that there is nothing effective to stem the growth of second homes and holiday lets. Many vested interests do okay out of it.”

Mike Ruston, another local, offered a contrasting viewpoint, recognising the financial advantages tourism brings whilst also urging for equilibrium. “My personal opinion is that this area is a holiday destination,” Ruston said.

“Out of the holiday season, the villages can be quite quiet, but in the holiday season, they’re absolutely heaving, and that is a very important part of the local economy. You’ve got to be a bit careful what you wish for.”

Ruston highlighted the contradictions within local opinions regarding second home ownership and holiday rentals.

“We don’t raise an eyebrow about renting somewhere abroad, but there are plenty of people who, rather hypocritically, might go abroad on a self-catering holiday but don’t want them here. It’s all a matter of balance,” he said.

He also drew parallels with other UK tourist hotspots like Cornwall and Devon, where locals often voice concerns about affordability and the impact on their communities, yet oppose new housing developments.

A town councillor from Hunstanton said last year that the council hasn’t broached the subject and doesn’t have a policy in place.

However, they have been in talks with Norfolk County Council who have commissioned research into the matter, but no report has been produced as of yet.

The Greek island was once a “model of co-existence” but has been left with “nothing but bars” as tourism has sucked the life out of it, a local has claimed

A stunning Greek island once “teeming with children and shops” has been left with nothing but bars due to tourism, according to a local resident.

Iosif Stefanou, an architect, urban planner and professor at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), has spent decades working to preserve traditional Cycladic architecture on Syros, and shared his concerns with Greek publication ekathimerini.com about how the tourist industry has drained the area of its character.

Speaking to the publication during a stroll through the neighbourhood, Stefanou lamented that whilst the island’s capital Ermoupoli had previously been “self-sufficient”, it now “only has bars — in summer, it’s crowded with people; in winter, it’s dead”..

The academic previously viewed the island as “a model of co-existence. A mother would hear her neighbor’s baby crying and would run there first”, but properties now sit empty for months whilst their proprietors are elsewhere, he said.

“Now most houses are closed for most of the year because they’ve been bought by foreigners or Athenians,” Stefanou explained, according to the Express.

“Fortunately, most of them respected and saved the houses. Many of the locals think about easy profit, which is why only bars have sprung up recently. They don’t understand they’re cutting the branch they’re sitting on. They see Mykonos on the horizon and envy it, but they don’t learn from its current state.”

Local music teacher, Aristos Vamvakousis, told the outlet: “We are fighting, and as long as such efforts exist, Syros won’t become just a tourist destination.”

In addition to his school, he said “there are many theatre groups, dance groups, sports clubs, and groups of people who fight to provide variety and stimuli during the months outside the summer season. That’s what saves us, life in the winter.”

Vamvakousis expressed concern that graduates from his music school struggle to find places to play traditional music, with many rembetiko venues now shut.

“After October, you can hardly find a taverna to eat in,” he revealed to the outlet. “The reason is that catering businesses are now owned – after the Covid pandemic – by non-locals who don’t care about keeping the shops open during the difficult months.Syros major Alexandros Athanasiou has been contacted for comment.Popular Greek holiday spots like Mykonos and Santorini are among the most impacted by overtourism in the country.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made a commitment in June to address overcrowding and manage the number of visitors on the islands, including limiting the number of cruise ships allowed to dock.

Mr Mitsotakis acknowledged that the Cycladic Islands were “clearly suffering”, amid complaints from locals about the effect on their daily lives and the cost of living, according to Bloomberg reports.

The Greek Prime Minister has highlighted Santorini as the “most sensitive” to overcrowding, with around 800 cruise ships docking last year, closely followed by Mykonos with 750 in 2023.

In April last year, Athens was rocked by furious protests, with demonstrators reportedly shouting: “They are taking our houses while they live in the Maldives”.

Anna Theodorakis, a local resident, told France24 about being forced out of her home in the Metaxourgio neighbourhood of Athens, stating: “I think the answer is to go in the streets and block everything and just not do something because people are losing their homes. It is very depressing.”

Ms Theodorakis criticised the surge of Airbnbs in the city for “wiping out the traditional places”, expressing that she felt like “a foreigner in my own country”.

Meanwhile, Dimitri, a property developer converting a former warehouse into Airbnbs, conceded that excessive tourism was causing harm to Athens.

Wars, recessions, overtourism protests and fed-up locals are just some of the reasons why visitor numbers are slumping in some resorts that rely heavily on holidaymakers

Five European holiday hotspots beloved by holidaymakers are struggling to attract visitors as the ‘ghost townification’ of certain destinations continues.

Wars, recessions, overtourism protests and fed-up locals are just some of the reasons why visitor numbers are slumping in some resorts that rely heavily on holidaymakers.

While the travel industry is generally booming across Europe, with Brits taking a record number of holidays, the story of unfettered, seemingly never-ending growth that was being told post-COVID is no longer the case in every destination.

Below are five holiday destinations where a different story is beginning to be told.

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Faliraki, Rhodes

It was once the ultimate party resort. The Rhodes town was infamous for the unruly tourists who would descend on it every summer. For A-Level school leavers of a certain generation, Faliraki was the place to go.

But then Greek officials, pushed by unhappy locals, hit breaking point. In 2003, they decided that enough was enough, announcing a ban on pub crawls and a new tough policy on violence and scantily clad revellers. And it worked. When the Mirror’s Melissa Thompson visited in 2013 she wrote that “Faliraki is unrecognisable.”

However, the clean-up came at a cost. “While the vomit-covered streets, couples having sex in alleyways and late-night punch-ups are gone, so too is the money the tourists brought with them,” Melissa noted.

Local businesses say the clean-up has all but decimated the place. While the town once enjoyed a six-month season packed with British tourists from May, their departure left them struggling to make ends meet in a summer that lasts just three months, starting in July.

The behaviour crackdown has not been the only factor blamed for the slump in Falirakian fortunes. The arrival of large all-inclusives along the east coast of Rhodes, as well as sizzling hot summers that have seen major wildfires, has dented fortunes along the strip.

As of 2013, some businesses report a 90% dip in earnings. Sofia Gkouma, 45, who has owned the Acropolis restaurant on the corner of two of the town’s busiest streets since 1990, said: “Before, this area would be filled with young English people. They were good customers. For 15 years we had them on pub crawls on 18-to-30 holidays, but then there was trouble because the hotels that catered for families couldn’t deal with them. They just wanted older people and families. They cracked down on young people and they left, with nothing to replace them.”

When I visited earlier this year, things had clearly improved a little. The area was smarter and cleaner than during its ‘Faliraki fishbowl’ debauched heyday. But it also felt as if it had struggled to fully capture a new identity, with most bars only partially full and a strange mix of karaoke-singing families and out-of-place young partygoers.

Bulgaria

Over the past decade, the former Soviet state of Bulgaria has caught the eye of an increasing number of tourists, who have been won over by the great prices and good weather on offer along the Black Sea coastline.

The destination became popular enough to inspire its own UK reality TV show, Emergency on Sunny Beach, which offered a glimpse into the larks on offer in the cheap and cheerful resort as it went head-to-head with established favourites such as Magaluf.

In recent years, many of the beach resorts along the Black Sea have started to feel conspicuously empty. The Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association announced that hotel occupancy rates had dropped 40% in some typically bustling areas. Only Sunny Beach had bucked the trend and seen an increase in visitors.

The declining fortunes of hotspots dotted along Bulgaria’s 235-mile coastline are primarily due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After Vladimir Putin launched the offensive, Bulgaria stopped air links between the countries, which led to a tenfold decline in Russian visitors, from a 2019 high of 500,000 a year to 50,000 in 2024.

The impact has been a hollowing out of certain resorts once popular with Russians, with Varna particularly impacted. The town sits close to a village called Bliznatsi, which, according to Radio Free Europe, is actually owned by the Russian state. Many ordinary Russians have attempted to sell their holiday homes along this stretch of coastline since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine began.

Despite such turmoil, beyond the Russian market, Bulgaria’s tourism industry is on the up. Last year, the country’s Ministry for Tourism confidently announced it would hit record visitor numbers and tourism revenue of £6billion a year. The EU’s tourism dashboard shows a steady increase in arrivals across the country year-on-year.

Marbella, Spain

In Spain at large, tourism is booming. Visitor numbers are up in almost every part of the country. However, one place in particular is now facing a slump.

Tourist numbers have declined on the Costa del Sol this summer, marking the first time since the pandemic that numbers have dropped. The downward dip has been felt particularly keenly in Marbella, where there was a 34% drop in Spanish tourists in June, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE). In July, 68,630 people came to visit the city, which is 8,201 fewer than in 2024.

The fall in visitors is causing misery through the hospitality sector in Marbella, with business owners wondering how they’re going to make ends meet.

“There are days when we feel like we’re not holding our heads in our hands from so much work, and others when the restaurant is empty. It’s as if people are more restrained when it comes to going out,” Yolanda, a waitress at one of the downtown hospitality establishments, told Sur.

A retail worker in Marbella told the publication that those Spaniards who are visiting the destination have less money to spend. They blamed “how expensive accommodation has become” as well as a lack of public transport between Malaga and Marbella – which sit 40 miles from one another on the coast – for the 10% dip in tourist numbers overall this summer.

While visitor numbers are down, Marbella is far from feeling empty. Hotel occupancy has reached 80.08 percent, with an average stay of 3.95 nights – the highest since 2016.

Estonia

After two years of pent-up demand during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, many European countries enjoyed bumper years in 2023 and 2024 as visitor arrivals and average spends shot up. In Spain, August arrivals increased by two million to 19 million in 2024, compared to the pre-pandemic 2019 peak.

But not every country has enjoyed, or, depending on your perspective, had to tolerate such booming figures. Estonia’s visitor figures are 22% down now compared to 2019, with hotel bed occupancy rates hitting just 40% this summer, according to EU data.

There are a number of reasons why. The proximity to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has likely kept some concerned tourists away, while a ban on Russian visitors has certainly dented numbers. According to Travel and Tour World, cruise ship arrivals in the capital Tallinn are also down significantly.

So far this summer, the situation has been particularly tricky in the southeast of the country, where many resorts run along the vast lakes Peipus and Pihkva. An unusually cool summer is to blame.

“Occupancy has dropped by about 30 percent — at least for the first two months that just ended,” said Triinu Vähi, a board member at Taevaskoja Tourism and Holiday Center. She told ERR that July is also shaping up to be relatively quiet, with occupancy down around 20 percent.

However, as much as Estonia’s tourism sector may have had a slow start to its post-Covid recovery, it clearly has a lot to offer. The Mirror’s Ines Santos visited earlier this year and was blown away by a country she likened to a more laid-back but equally as beautiful Sweden. It was also named one of the world’s cleanest and most walkable countries.

Cyprus

The island of Cyprus is home to one of the most famous abandoned towns in Europe, or perhaps even the world. Famagusta was once loved by Europe’s elite, but now the disputed area sits empty: the consequence of conflict between the Turkish and Greek-controlled parts of the country.

Despite the simmering tension and general unease evident between the two sections of the island, tourism in Cyprus has been booming for years. That is, until early in 2024, when the number of arrivals fell for the first time in three years. A big reason why was the war in Ukraine, with Russian visitor numbers falling 70% in 2024.

Those in the hospitality industry have been sounding the alarm since 2023, warning that the rise of Airbnbs and other holiday letting companies is taking customers away from hotels and also pushing up locals’ rents in popular areas. Visitor numbers to the Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus have doubled in recent years, according to President of the Cyprus Hotel Association, Thanos Michaelides, which has taken visitors away from the Greek part of the island. Hotel occupancy in June last year was at its lowest in three years, at 49.6%.

Mr Michaelides has warned that 30,000 fewer tourists will visit the island over the summer season, meaning around £20 million less will be spent on the island. The faltering UK economy has been cited as a major factor, given the 1.3 million who visit Cyprus most years, and a decline in Israeli visitors.

The hotel boss said “significant threats to the demand for tourism in Cyprus” remained.

Spain is by far the most popular country among UK travellers, with close to 18 million of us visiting in 2023 — far more than the 9.2 million who took a trip to second-place France

“The message we are receiving loud and clear from locals, especially in the islands and where we usually visit in Andalucia, is that we should stay away and are not welcome.”

That is how Mirror reader Allan Wilcox feels. He, like millions of Brits, is a regular visitor to Spain. In fact, Spain is by far the most popular country among UK travellers, with close to 18 million of us visiting in 2023 — far more than the 9.2 million who took a trip to second-place France.

While it would be absurd to suggest that the country’s love affair with Spain and its incredible culture, food and drink, spectacular weather, and general good vibes is over, there is undeniably a groundswell of frustration at a shift in attitude on the Iberian Peninsula. This comes amid a warning about the quality of breaks in Benidorm.

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A lot of Brits have taken overtourism protests to heart, heeding the words of campaigners who say that mass tourism is killing the culture of destinations including the Canaries and the Balearic Islands; the strident messages slapped on walls by graffiti artists; and the actions of protesters who squirted holidaymakers in Barcelona.

Each week many of them email in to the Mirror’s travel desk ([email protected]) to share their views on trips to Spain and whether they’re still planning holidays in the country of 48 million.

Although it would be unfair to suggest that their views are completely typical of the UK population at large, particularly given the small sample size, a clear anti-Spanish holiday sentiment has emerged.

Sarah Meager has been particularly frustrated by new laws that prohibit smoking and vaping on terraces. She was dismayed to discover that the law covered private terraces when it comes to holiday villas and hotels.

“We discovered this in Lanzarote in February. You are not even allowed on the terrace of your own room. It is a ridiculous decision. Even if only one member of a group smokes it means you just can’t relax and enjoy yourself,” she explained.

Kevin Durkin is a committed Spain holidaymaker, having visited the country many times over a 30-year period. “Over the last few years, the anti-British sentiment has just grown. Some bar owners have put up signs telling the British to keep away and some hotel owners don’t want us either,” he said.

“I do not need Spain, they can keep their latest charges and hatred of the British. I will not be back, neither will my friends or family. Adios.”

Kevin, who speaks Spanish and moved to the country several years ago, admitted that most of the ire from locals was directed towards “the loud British element, usually fuelled by alcohol”, and that respectful tourists were unlikely to be bothered.

For Linda Munro, overcrowding was a major issue. She flew into Majorca, where the airport has been struggling with long queues this summer. “Border control is very, very stressful and must be putting families off,” she recalled.

“My husband and I got through the scanners, no problem. However, the rest of the family had to queue for an hour and a half. On the way back, it was worse, as people were worried they might miss their flights home. Our family just made it on time. They all said they wouldn’t be back abroad anytime soon.”

Allan Wilcox is a committed visitor of Spain and is “happy to spend our money supporting local businesses. These include restaurants, bars, hotels and shops.” Since overtourism protests began however, he has started to feel unwelcome.

“The message we are receiving loud and clear from locals, especially in the islands and where we usually visit in Andalucia, is that we should stay away and are not welcome. Since the local feelings appear so strong and tourists have to run the gauntlet of being shouted or spat at or have to endure intimidating protests, we are no longer happy to visit the country under these conditions,” Allan said.

“Consequently, we have decided to holiday elsewhere and have not visited Spain for the past couple of years.”

How do you feel about taking a holiday to Spain? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please email [email protected]

Polya Palazova, 21, went to the Italian capital to see the new Pope and take in the sights – but she was left stunned by how busy it was compared to her last trip in 2018

A woman visited Rome and went to desperate measures to escape the throngs of tourists, but still found the city to be “too crowded” and “horrible”.

Polya Palazova, 21, travelled to the Italian capital in early June to see the new Pope and explore the sights. Having been once before in 2018, Polya never doubted whether she’d manage to see all the landmarks – but this time she was shocked by how packed the Eternal City was.

The University of Vienna media and communications student spent four days in the city and branded it as “far too hectic”. Polya and her mates managed to visit many of the headline tourist hotspots including Piazza Navona, the Colosseum, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain.

However, she said it was “too packed” to even attempt visiting the Vatican – meaning she couldn’t tick that off her bucket list. Yet even the places she did manage to see were rammed with people – and there were still hordes when she visited Trevi Fountain at 2am.

READ MORE: Brits ‘scared away’ from Majorca as holiday hotspot left ‘completely dead’

Polya said: “I’m from the crowded city of Burgas, Bulgaria – which is right near the busy Sunny Beach resort. So I’m OK with crowds – but Rome was too much. We had a really good plan and managed to see most of the sights but the Vatican was too hard.

“There were so many people and it was more than 35 degrees, we couldn’t do it. It was just too busy. I wanted to see the new Pope but I couldn’t. It was so hot, and there were so many people that you couldn’t enjoy it.”

Polya revealed she had watched TikTok videos suggesting people visit Trevi Fountain at night for a more peaceful experience and better photos in the darkness. She stayed awake until 2am to make the trip, but discovered it remained heaving with tourists.

She explained: “Because of the TikToks, it wasn’t really quiet. But it was still good to go at night. We went to bed at 3am but we didn’t mind.”

Whilst she relished the getaway, she believes destinations like Italy and Spain have become particularly “trendy” to visit this year. Several pals from her Austrian hometown are also making similar journeys over the coming months.

Polya remarked: “I went in 2018 and it was for sure more busy now.”

The fact Trevi remains busy and, according to some people, overcrowded, may be of some concern to the authorities in Rome.

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Last year, the fountain was closed for a three-month restoration, during which time the masterpiece of 18th-century Italian architect Nicola Salvi was spruced up. When it reopened at the end of 2024, a new queueing system was introduced in an attempt to control the large crowds that built up around it.

At its peak last summer, 12,000 tourists would visit it each day. When the new system was introduced, Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri said imposing the limit will “allow everyone to better enjoy the fountain, without crowds or confusion”. Gualtieri also said city authorities were considering charging a modest entry price to finance the fountain’s upkeep, although that is yet to be introduced.

Some locals in Majorca are claiming that certain resorts are ’empty’, with one hospitality boss sounding the alarm over the impact that overtourism protests are having

Spanish officials have warned that overtourism protests are scaring off holidaymakers.

Some locals in Majorca have claimed that certain resorts are “completely dead”, following several years of intense campaigning about the impacts of tourism on the Balearic islands and those similar to it.

Restaurant association president, Juanmi Ferrer, has now warned that the protests are “scaring visitors away”, while Miguel Pérez‑Marsá, head of the nightlife association, sounded a similar alarm. He told the Majorca Daily Bulletin: “The tourists we’re interested in are being driven away; they don’t feel welcome and are going to other destinations.”

Pedro Oliver, president of the College of Tour Guides, told Mail Online that his industry had been impacted by the negative messaging. “The anti‑tourism messages are resonating,” he said, noting that sales were down 20 % as key markets including Brits and Germans were staying away.

Have you stayed away from Spain because of the protests? We’d love to hear from you. Email [email protected]

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Biel Rosales, who runs excursion provider Proguies Turístics, said activity had been cut in half this summer, blaming the protests as well as rising prices. “Tourismphobia and the idea that tourists are not welcome are hurting us greatly,” he said.

The cooling effect has also been felt in the taxi ranks. Biel Moragues, who works in one of the island’s taxi associations, told Mail Online: “British tourists are the most upset by the protests and have changed their holiday destination.”

Lesley Johnson, from Leicester, has been living in Majorca for 30 years and has seen a big change this year. Where previously the main strip would be packed and difficult to walk down on Friday and Saturday evenings, now it is “dead”. She echoed the complaints of other Brits who have made the holiday island their home, that the number of their compatriots living in Majorca is dwindling as each year passes.

While it is hard to judge how many people have visited Majorca so far this summer and whether overall numbers are down, early-season figures suggest Brits might be staying away.

In March, visitors from Majorca’s third-largest market, the UK, were down 23.2 % to 48,741. For the Balearics as a whole, the UK fell 25.3 % to 52,170. Other markets showed notable decreases as well, with France down 39.4 % in Majorca and Italy 40.1 %.

It may be that Brits are avoiding the Balearic islands such as Majorca and opting for the Canaries instead. Recent Canary Islands Statistics Institute data show an influx of British tourists to Lanzarote so far this summer. Numbers have swelled by just shy of 40,000, despite widespread demonstrations rocking the archipelago.

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According to Gazette Life, UK visitor numbers to Lanzarote surged from 691,902 to 738,387 during the five‑month period year‑on‑year. Intriguingly, German visitor numbers have dwindled by nearly 30,000 in Lanzarote, as recorded between January and May 2025.

Official figures on the number of visitors to Majorca over the month of June will be released this week. They will offer a good indication of whether tourism to the island has slumped, as it did in May, when visitor numbers were down by just over 1 %.

Jordi Mora, president of the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises of Majorca, has argued against the suggestion that the protests were scaring tourists away, claiming that there would be a 5 % growth in visitor numbers this year compared to last, once the season is complete.

Spanish tourists have been handed a list of 10 strict rules they must follow while visiting Malaga. The new campaign by the local council is aimed at reducing bad behaviour

British holidaymakers visiting Malaga are now being confronted with a fresh initiative designed to tackle unruly conduct in the city.

The local authority’s “Improve your stay in Málaga drive features a comprehensive list of 10 guidelines that travellers are encouraged to follow, in a bid to curb inappropriate behaviour. The guidelines tackle a broad spectrum of problems, ranging from attire standards and hygiene to sound disturbance and the responsible operation of bicycles and e-scooters.

Tourists are being urged to remain considerate and behave in a manner that respects peaceful coexistence with residents of the local community.

Additional measures highlighted by the council include the ‘Keep the City Clean’ drive, requesting visitors to utilise the rubbish bins available and the public conveniences scattered throughout the city, whilst also ensuring respect for historic sites, green spaces, and municipal amenities such as park seating.

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Local authorities have also emphasised the significance of refraining from shouting or blasting music during evening hours in residential neighbourhoods, advising tourists to “do not be conspicuous.” Dressing suitably within the city represents another concern mentioned, with the council stating simply “dress completely.”

This likely refers to avoiding venturing into urban areas shirtless or in swimwear, as such clothing is only acceptable on the beach.

A further aspect of the initiative concentrates on transportation, with the message “Sidewalks Are for Pedestrians,” highlighting that cycles and scooters must stick to their designated routes. The initiative has received extensive promotion – across social media platforms, on buses and at every essential location throughout the city.

Málaga has previously tackled reports of antisocial conduct by ramping up penalties for violations including dropping litter and excessive noise levels.

The previous year also witnessed pandemonium surrounding overtourism in the city, with locals marching through the streets in protest against the deluge of visitors. Residents argued they were being forced out of their communities due to short-term holiday rentals, whilst also voicing concerns about disruptive behaviour and certain tourists’ conduct.

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During the peak of the protests, some demonstrators even stuck anti-tourism stickers throughout the area, featuring messages such as “This used to be my home”, “go f****** home”, “stinking of tourist” and “this used to be the city centre,” used.

Protests regarding mass tourism and anti-tourism sentiment took place across Spain throughout 2024, with numerous campaigns continuing into 2025. In the opening quarter of 2025, Spain reportedly received 17.1 million overseas visitors. For the complete year of 2024, this number reached a record-shattering 94 million.

The nation remains particularly beloved by Brits, who descend upon the country seeking a sunny getaway.

Tensions boiled over this past Friday as throngs of mostly peaceful protesters, brandishing placards with messages like “Gringo: Stop stealing our home” and demanding immediate housing regulation, took to tourist hotspots throughout the city

A fierce backlash against gentrification and a surge in mass tourism has unfolded on the streets of Mexico City.

Tensions boiled over this past Friday as throngs of mostly peaceful protesters, brandishing placards with messages like “Gringo: Stop stealing our home” and demanding immediate housing regulation, took to tourist hotspots throughout the city.

The protest took a darker turn as the day went on, with a handful violently lashing out, shattering shop windows and plundering several establishments. At one point, one person was seen aggressively jabbing a butter knife at a restaurant window where punters were sheltering, while another emblazoned “kill a gringo” on a wall in the vicinity.

Years of mass tourism and skyrocketing rent prices have left residents of a bustling city frustrated. The tide of foreigners began to swell in 2020, as Americans sought refuge in Mexico City to work remotely, escape coronavirus restrictions, and enjoy lower living costs.

Have you been impacted by overtourism? Email [email protected]

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Desirable areas like Roma and Condesa, known for their lush central locales brimming with cafes and markets, have seen an uptick in foreign tourists and ‘digital nomads’ since then. The number of Airbnbs in the city has rocketed.

Residents are feeling the squeeze, claiming they’ve been ousted from their own communities. This sentiment is partly attributed to a controversial call made by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum back in 2022 when she signed a deal with Airbnb and UNESCO to promote tourism and court remote workers, fully aware of the potential repercussions on local housing.

“The xenophobic displays seen at that protest have to be condemned. No one should be able to say ‘any nationality get out of our country’ even over a legitimate problem like gentrification,” the President said following the protests.

The influx of holidaymakers has driven up rents and living costs, making English an increasingly heard language on the streets of these neighbourhoods. Some critics have labelled this trend as a form of “neo-colonialism.”

The Mexico City Anti-Gentrification Front, one of the groups organising protests, has said it is “completely against” any acts of physical violence and refuted claims that their protests are xenophobic. Instead, they argue that the demonstrations stem from the local government’s longstanding failure to tackle the underlying issues.

“Gentrification isn’t just foreigners’ fault, it’s the fault of the government and these companies that prioritize the money foreigners bring,” the group declared. They highlighted the struggle of “young people and the working class can’t afford to live here.”

The organisation has issued a list of demands, calling for increased rent controls, insisting that locals should have a say in larger development projects in their area, stricter laws making it more difficult for landlords to evict tenants and prioritising Mexican renters over foreigners.

Mexico’s protest follows a series of similar demonstrations across Europe against mass tourism.

At the moment over 26,000 properties in Mexico City are listed on Airbnb, as reported by Inside Airbnb, an advocacy group monitoring the company’s impact on residential communities through data. This compares to 36,000 properties in New York City and 19,000 in Barcelona, where protests have also erupted.

Airbnb claimed to have contributed over a billion dollars to Mexico City’s “economic impact” last year, supporting 46,000 jobs in the city. “What’s needed is regulation based not on prohibitions, but on respect for rights and transparency of obligations,” the company said in a statement.

The latest strategy consists of inventing names of “secret” coves that do not actually exist, so that tourists flock to urban areas that have nothing to do with the coast

Fed-up locals in a Spanish holiday resort are trying to fool holidaymakers into going to fake beaches.

The protesters are waging a “dirty tricks” campaign to try and fool holidaymakers in the midst of the row over tourism congestion. They are inventing fake beaches on the Balearic island of Majorca, which has been targeted by a string of protests and demonstrations since last summer.

The latest strategy consists of inventing names of “secret” coves that do not actually exist, so that tourists flock to urban areas that have nothing to do with the coast. These false names are usually the same as those in popular areas in the capital of Palma.

In a video explaining the ploy, a young local woman said: “These are not beaches, they are dangerous places that you should avoid. If you want to avoid getting scammed, look up the location online before you go. If you find a lot of information, it’s a real beach. If not, avoid going.”

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The practice, which some justify as a way to protect the island’s natural areas, is fuelling an intense debate about the impact of tourism. Some of the beaches being promoted but which don’t exist include Son Gotleu, Son Roca and Son Banya Korea.

The scam is the latest in a series of tricks organised by mass tourism protesters who have previously resorted to putting up fake signs saying a particular beach or access road has been closed or is for locals only.

Last week, the platform “Majorca Platja Tour” announced the first “symbolic occupation” of a beach this summer amid calls for residents-only beaches. “Prepare your towels, umbrellas and banners because we will be making a new symbolic occupation on a beach in Mallorca,” the campaigners announced in a statement.

The protests will echo those of last summer carried out at Platja de Palma, one of the best beaches in the capital, and Caló des Moro, a stunning beach located in the south-east of Mallorca featuring 40 metres of fine-grained sand surrounded by cliffs.

The protestors say beaches in Mallorca are so packed with tourists that locals avoid going in the summer. They want holidaymakers either banned from certain beaches or for areas to be designated for local residents only and not tourists.

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“What used to be a corner of peace becomes a theme park,” they claim. They say the beach at Platja de Palma is a prime example: “There is no area that better represents the overcrowded Mallorca than this one.”

For this reason, they are demanding that parts of the beach are kept just for residents, or that residents are given preferential access to them.

The group highlighted the Municipality of Ameglia in North East Italy, where 60% of the beaches are kept for local residents.

Road routes to many beaches in Majorca are frequently clogged with traffic during the high season, with hundreds of cars parked on sandbanks.

As Brits abroad are faced with furious graffiti and water pistols, overtourism protesters have explained why exactly visitors may have gotten the wrong end of the stick about their defiant message

Across southern Europe, holidaymakers are being greeted by graffiti bearing the slogan, ‘tourists go home’ – but there’s more to these furious signs than meets the eye.

Brits sunning themselves over in the Mediterranean may not currently be receiving the warmest welcome, with furious overtourism protesters having taken to the streets in force, brandishing water pistols.

The protests have spread across a number of holiday hotspots, with Spain, Portugal and Italy, with a number of unfortunate sunseekers finding themselves at the receiving end of a squirt.

After spritzing a couple seated at an outdoor Barcelona café, chuckling campaigner Andreu Martínez previously told the Mirror: “The squirt guns are to bother the tourists a bit. Barcelona has been handed to the tourists. This is a fight to give Barcelona back to its residents.”

Meanwhile, a number of Brits have vowed to stay clear of sunny Spain altogether, declaring: “We don’t want to go somewhere we’re not wanted.”

However, as campaigners themselves have asserted, it isn’t the tourists themselves who are the enemy.

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As reported by the Metro, one organiser in the Basque city of San Sebastián explained: “People who go on vacation to one place or another are not our enemies…our enemies are those who speculate on housing, who exploit workers and those who are profiting handsomely from the touristification of our cities.”

This is a view shared by many members of the Southern Europe Against Touristification coalition, who say residents are being forced out of their own hometowns thanks to unregulated tourism, which is hurting, not helping, struggling locals.

Campaigners are now piling pressure on local and central governments to adequately regulate the tourism industry, while also calling out housing firms such as Airbnb, which they say are pushing up rents at a time when living costs have already risen substantially.

Zoe Adjey, senior lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London, told the publication: “This is very unusual, the tourism and hospitality industry is not the most unified. But it’s good, because as they are saying, the protests have never been about tourists.

“They’re about businesses, and what they are doing with the money they get from tourists. Where is that profit going? It’s clearly not going back into the local areas.”

She continued: “We’ve now got a situation where workers can’t afford to live within any sort of rational distance to their job.”

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