Barcelona, Venice, Málaga, Canary Islands, Amsterdam, Athens, Balearic Islands, and Tenerife Rise to the Challenge of Overtourism and Protests in 2025: New Report You Need to Know
Barcelona, Venice, Málaga, Canary Islands, Amsterdam, Athens, Balearic Islands, and Tenerife tackle overtourism and protests with bold reforms for 2025.
The past year saw a surge in anti-tourism protests across Europe as residents voiced their frustrations about overtourism. Communities rallied with marches, campaigns, and creative protests, including water pistol demonstrations, to reclaim their cities.
From Amsterdam and Athens to Venice, Barcelona, the Canary Islands, Málaga, and the Balearic Islands, locals raised their concerns, particularly about the strain on housing and infrastructure caused by excessive tourism.
As we step into 2025, authorities and residents are grappling with how to manage growing tourist numbers. But are their approaches aligned? Here’s a look at the actions taken and the challenges that remain.
In Barcelona, the city council has pledged to eliminate all Airbnb-style accommodations by 2028. A significant milestone was reached in December 2024 when the Urban Planning Commission approved an amendment to impose stricter regulations on short-term rentals.
Venice took steps to control overtourism by banning megaphones and restricting tour group sizes as of August 2024.
Málaga and the Canary Islands Protect Housing for Locals
Málaga has prohibited new holiday flats in 43 neighborhoods, while the Canary Islands have mandated that 90% of residential areas must be reserved for permanent residents within the next five years.
Amsterdam’s “Stay Away” campaign combines awareness with education. An interactive quiz now tests visitors on local etiquette, alongside other measures like regulating B&B capacities, restricting sea and river cruises, and banning city-center coaches.
In Spain, where the majority of protests have occurred, activists point to the housing crisis as a major consequence of overtourism. Increased demand for tourist accommodations has driven up housing prices, leaving locals struggling.
Despite these measures, tourism is projected to grow by 25% during the winter of 2024-25, according to the Spanish Tourism Board.
A spokesperson for Barcelona’s Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turístic (ABDT) argues that while authorities claim to address the problems, they are simultaneously encouraging tourism growth. The ABDT sees overtourism as a contributor to climate, social, environmental, and housing crises. Although no new protests are currently planned, the group insists that more action is needed.
Néstor Marrero Rodríguez, secretary of ATAN (Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature), highlights the introduction of measures like an eco-tax, restrictions on new hotel construction, and sustainable vacation options. However, he believes that current efforts are insufficient to address overtourism’s long-term impacts.
Sofyan Mbarki, a city councillor in Amsterdam, notes that over 75 measures have been introduced to curb overtourism. For 2025, the city plans to uphold its bans on new hotel developments and additional hotel beds.
As Europe’s tourism sector continues to grow, the tension between boosting visitor numbers and addressing the concerns of residents remains unresolved. The year 2025 will test whether these measures can strike a balance or if cities will face renewed resistance from locals determined to protect their communities.
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