Drive to despair by a huge influx of tourists several top European hotspots frequented by Britons are bringing in measures to stop visitors.
Residents complain of high prices and lack of housing and blame the rise in Airbnb-style short-term lets and crowds of tourists. Over-tourism is a recognised concern and across Europe, officials have begun to take action, for instance, Venice has introduced an entrance fee while Greece imposes a time booking system for visitors to the Acropolis in Athens.
A recent report from AP noted: “Tourists are waiting more than two hours to visit the Acropolis in Athens,
“Taxi lines at Rome’s main train station are running just as long. And so many visitors are concentrating around St. Mark’s Square in Venice that crowds get backed up crossing bridges — even on weekdays.”
With a population of less than one million people, Amsterdam attracts over one million tourists each month. Despite its reputation as a tolerant and liberal city, Amsterdam has seen increased regulation in recent years.
Amsterdam has decided to bar cruise ships from using its main port as part of a broader crackdown dubbed a “discouragement campaign” by city officials.
This campaign includes several initiatives, such as a ban on outdoor marijuana smoking in the red-light district. A poster campaign specifically targeting young British men has also sprung up urging them to “stay away.”
In Italy, the historic centre of Florence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has banned new short-term private vacation rentals.
Meanwhile, in Portofino, a picturesque seaside town on the Italian Riviera, local officials have enacted measures to discourage tourists from hanging about looking for selfie opportunities in designated “no-waiting zones.” According to the BBC, fines for breaking these rules can amount to €275.
Meanwhile, in Spain, Santiago de Compostela, a popular pilgrimage site in Galicia, is considering implementing a tourist tax to combat overtourism.
In addition to the proposed tourist tax, Santiago de Compostela officials are looking into ways to limit the number of visitors to the city’s historic centre.
