European Summer Vacations: A Dream for Many, but a Nightmare for Locals

Visitors crowding Cala Mariolu, a popular beach in Sardinia, Italy.[1]

Traveling post-COVID-19 has been at an all-time high, not just for Americans but for everyone wanting to make up for time lost during the pandemic. In June 2023, the World Travel & Tourism Council released its latest Economic Impact Research Report, which revealed that “ . . . the EU Travel & Tourism sector is projected to bounce back, reaching ninety-eight percent of its pre-pandemic peak in 2019. . . .”[[2]] This recent surge in travel to Europe is a dream come true for many tourists, but nothing short of a nightmare for permanent residents. Increased tourism has led to the partial or complete closure of many popular European destinations and locals having to endure loud noises at night and restricted walking spaces.[[3]] Such conflict has forced countries to take it upon themselves to implement laws and restrictions they hope will accommodate both sides.

This summer, according to the ABC Travel report, the top five European travel destinations are: (1) Portugal, (2) Spain, (3) Italy, (4) the United Kingdom, and (5) France.[[4]] In recent years Portugal has seen an influx of travelers coming to visit its beautiful beaches, but locals have raised concerns about tourists disrupting the tranquil and relaxing environment. As of July 14th, 2023, beachgoers are now subject to fines ranging from $225 to $40,385 for playing loud music on portable speakers or sound equipment.[[5]] This reoccurring problem has forced Portugal’s National Maritime Authority to ban portable speakers, in an attempt to tackle local complaints.[[6]] The hope is that this restriction, which some might consider harsh, will preserve the integrity of the beach as a place for people to go and relax.

Thanks to social media in recent years, Italy is also no stranger to over-tourism. As a result, the Italian government has implemented several restrictions to preserve the nation’s natural and historic beauty. For example, in an attempt to prevent overcrowding, the beach in La Pelosa, Sardinia, permits only 1,500 visitors per day and charges a $3.95 entrance fee.[[7]] Cinque Terre, a picturesque town known for its colorful cliffside homes and beautiful beaches, now sees as many as 2.5 million visitors a year.[[8]] In response to the inundation of tourists in recent years, locals of Cinque Terre complain that many visitors are destroying the town and its charm. Tourists have been known to deface the ancient villages and terrain with graffiti, defecate in backyards and doorways owing to the town’s shortage of bathrooms, and trespass onto hiking trails despite posted signs.[[9]] Trespassing onto these trails not only poses an environmental issue but also a safety hazard. In March 2019, officials stated that wearing flip-flops on the walkways of the five villages would no longer be allowed and any person found violating this rule could receive a fine upwards of $2,826.[[10]] When tourists take to the narrow and rocky trails without proper footwear, they often find themselves in need of rescuing and must rely on local law enforcement for help. These rescue missions sometimes require helicopter airlifts costing $5,610 an hour, at the expense of the Italian government.[[11]]

The problem here lies with where to draw the line when it comes to travel and tourism in Europe. Although not unique to Europe, European countries are especially subject to the effects of over-tourism due to the world’s fascination with the idealized European vacation. This year, tourism is expected to contribute $1.62 billion to Europe’s economy, but at the cost of interrupting the lives of locals and damaging historically protected sites.[[12]] The solution may lie in enforcing travel visas for all visitors during peak months, including domestic travelers, to combat the issue of over-tourism and ensure harmony amongst the locals of these popular destinations.

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[1] Photo: Marchetti, infra note 7. [2] EU Travel & Tourism Sector to Reach 98% of Pre-Pandemic Levels This Year, Schengen Visa News (14 July 2023), https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/eu-travel-tourism-sector-to-reach-98-of-pre-pandemic-levels-this-year/ [3] Summer 2023: Expert Picks for Anti-Tourists & Over-Touristed Destinations in Europe, Schengen Visa News (12 July 2023), https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/summer-2023-expert-picks-for-anti-tourists-over-touristed-destinations-in-europe/ [4] Eviivo and RateGain, New data: 5 summer travel trends and top destinations in Europe for 2023, Eviivo (11 July 2023), https://eviivo.com/blog/europe-travel-trends-summer-2023/ [5] Noisy Tourists in Portugal Can Be Fined Up to €4,000 This Summer, Schengen Visa News (14 July 2023), https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/noisy-tourists-in-portugal-can-be-fined-up-to-e4000-this-summer/ [6] Id. [7] Silvia Marchetti, The Italian beaches putting a daily cap on visitors this summer, CNN Travel (11 July 2023), https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/italian-beaches-daily-cap-on-visitors-summer/index.html [8] Clare Speak, Stop trekking in flip flops, Italy’s Cinque Terre begs tourists, THE LOCAL it (11 July 2023), https://www.thelocal.it/20190306/stop-trekking-in-flip-flops-italys-cinque-terre-begs-tourists [9] Andy Wright, Cinque Terror, Topic (14 July 2023), https://www.topic.com/cinque-terror [10] Francesca Street, Flip-flop fines introduced in Italy’s Cinque Terre, CNN Travel (12 July 2023), https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/cinque-terre-sandal-ban/index.html [11] Speak, supra note 8. [12] Schengen Visa News, supra note 2.