Europe’s ongoing struggle with mass tourism has now extended to Portugal and Switzerland. Local residents in these countries are increasingly frustrated with the overwhelming influx of tourists, leading to calls for drastic measures to manage the situation.

Key Takeaways

• Portugal’s Sintra and Switzerland’s Zermatt are the latest hotspots facing tourism backlash.
• Residents in Sintra are calling for ‘guerrilla action’ to combat mass tourism.
• Swiss officials have fenced off pastures to protect rare alpine plants from being trampled by tourists.
• Other European cities like Venice and Barcelona are also implementing measures to control tourism.

Portugal’s Sintra: From ‘Glorious Eden’ to ‘Tourist Hell’

Sintra, a picturesque town in southern Portugal’s Sintra Mountains, has become a focal point of anti-tourism sentiment. Once described by Lord Byron as a ‘glorious Eden,’ the town is now grappling with the adverse effects of mass tourism. Residents complain of two-hour taxi queues, traffic congestion, and tourists causing accidents by driving the wrong way on one-way streets.

Local action groups are demanding immediate measures to address the issue. One resident mentioned waking up at 5 AM to walk her dog and tend to her garden to avoid the tourist crowds. Another British expat expressed concerns about emergency response times, stating that a 20-minute trip to the nearest shop now takes two to three hours.

Switzerland’s Zermatt: Protecting Alpine Flora

In Switzerland, the iconic Matterhorn peak attracts thousands of tourists, many of whom trample rare alpine plants like the edelweiss in their quest for the perfect Instagram photo. Botanists and local officials have had to fence off pastures to protect these delicate ecosystems. Despite these efforts, some rare flowers have already disappeared from the region.

Broader European Context

The anti-tourism sentiment is not confined to Portugal and Switzerland. Other European cities are also taking steps to manage the influx of tourists:

• Venice, Italy: Introduced a €5 entry fee for tourists, although the measure has been criticized as ineffective.
• Porto, Portugal: Implemented a pilot scheme to limit tuk-tuks and tourist buses in the city center.
• Lisbon, Portugal: Increased the tourist tax on overnight stays from €2 to €4.
• Barcelona, Spain: Reducing the number of holiday rentals to combat rising living costs.

Local Protests and Actions

In Spain, protests have erupted in Majorca and Tenerife, with locals boycotting restaurants that only offer menus in English. In Majorca’s Soller, protesters are eating their own food in front of such establishments until menus are available in multiple languages.

Conclusion

The growing anti-tourism sentiment across Europe highlights the need for sustainable tourism practices. As more cities and towns grapple with the challenges of mass tourism, the call for balanced and effective measures becomes increasingly urgent.