Overview
This lecture discusses recent protests in Italy, Portugal, and Spain against mass tourism, highlighting concerns over housing affordability and environmental impacts.
Recent Anti-Tourism Protests
- Protests occurred in Barcelona, Genoa, Lisbon, and Majorca targeting negative effects of mass tourism.
- In Barcelona, demonstrators marched with signs like "Tourists go home" and used squirt guns to symbolize discontent.
- In Genoa, protesters rolled suitcases to create noise in the city center, highlighting disruption from tourists.
- Lisbon's activists carried an effigy of the city's patron saint to the site of a planned luxury hotel.
- On Majorca, locals stopped a tourist bus, set off flares, and hung protest banners.
Reasons Behind the Protests
- Protesters cite rising housing costs, making homes unaffordable for locals due to demand from tourists.
- Demonstrations also focus on environmental damage caused by overtourism.
- Activists criticize the current tourism model for prioritizing the hospitality industry and real estate over resident well-being.
- There is a perception that tourists have higher spending power, outbidding locals for housing and amenities.
Organization and Symbolism
- The movement is coordinated by groups like the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification.
- Squirt guns have become a symbol of protest against tourism's disruptions.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Overtourism — excessive numbers of tourists causing negative impacts on local communities and environments.
- Touristification — transformation of urban areas to cater mainly to tourists, often harming local quality of life.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review recent examples of tourism protests in southern Europe.
- Examine the impacts of tourism models on local housing and the environment.
- Prepare for a discussion on sustainable tourism solutions.