When over-tourism turns into anti-tourism!

I have written quite extensively about over-tourism, and like global warming, which seems to be an ever-growing tourism concern, over-tourism, particularly in Europe, seems to be becoming more and more of an issue as international travel continues to grow. As someone who travels extensively, I have seen good and bad service and am not given to complain easily, but when I experience something that really concerns me and I see a red flag on global tourism in the future, I feel it is necessary to mention and examine. I was recently with my family in Barcelona, where I found the general attitude of the people towards us, as tourists, not only indifferent but one would have to say almost hostile.

In one particular incident when we visited a smallish hamburger joint, the menus were thrown at us, the service was appalling, and we were told that they would be closing early, only to discover, after I spoke in Portuguese and their poor attitude towards us changed a little, that they stayed open late anyway! It struck me then that if this were to become the norm towards foreign tourists, this City, and indeed the country, would definitely start having a very bad reputation amongst international tourists, and who knows what he consequences of that might be?

The figures don’t lie

For those who may not know, Barcelona is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populated municipality of Spain. Just as an example, tourism contributes 12.3% to Spain’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the Spanish Tourism Satellite Account. This represents 184,002 million euros, according to the INE. The characteristic tourism branches also generated more than 2.5 million jobs, which is 11.6% of total employment in Spain. These are 2023 figures, and no doubt they have escalated since. The question is, with figures like that, can you have a large section of the population being hostile to a massive portion of international travellers? I think not, and so solutions need to be found.

Believe me, in many respects, I do feel for the locals in some of these vastly overcrowded places. It doesn’t help either that Europe has been experiencing a heatwave, which is probably contributing to frayed nerves, and there are real issues like overcrowding and poor city planning also creating local frustrations, which can quickly transform tourism from an economic opportunity to a community burden.

What can be done?

Clearly, Governments and tourism authorities need to look at the aforementioned issues and see if better infrastructure and town planning, perhaps, can alleviate some of them, but these are long-term solutions. Perhaps more can be done in the short term, but what? Much has already been done, such as the imposition of taxes and fees for tourists, extra costs to visit special places, and certain limits placed on Airbnb owners. However, perhaps more immediate restrictions could be implemented, like, for example, limiting the number of cruise liners that dock every day. What I’m saying is, whether those in authority can improve the over-tourism issue or not, we will never be able to get away from the fact that in these countries, and indeed in our own country, tourism is needed and plays a massive role in the economy.

Don’t let SA go the same way

I strongly believe we need to heed these warning signs and ensure that we don’t end up in the same situation in South Africa – and, in fact, I would give the same advice to all emerging tourism destinations. To our government and tourism leaders, I say let’s ensure that as we grow, we facilitate the infrastructure that is required to welcome vastly increased numbers in peak seasons. To those in Travel and Tourism, I say let’s be sensible about our bookings and ensure we don’t suggest the same few venues or travel hot-spots to every tourist that we service. Let’s try to spread our offerings and therefore spread the burden of overcrowding.

Most importantly though, to people working in the hospitality industry, and everyone in fact who takes pride in our country, let us remember that tourism is vitally important to our economy, generating jobs and spawning vitally needed new small businesses, so when we are tired and overworked in peak season, or simply irritated by those whose mannerisms and customs are different to ours, let us still be polite and welcoming. Please – let us make a collective effort to ensure that in SA, over-tourism never turns into anti-tourism!    

Lidia de Olim
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER