Tourismophobia or tourism phobia is on the rise in Spain
A recent YouGov survey reveals a growing discontent among Spaniards towards mass tourism
despite its significant contribution to the country's economy. The survey found that one in three Spaniards believe there are too many international
visitors in their area. This figure is significantly higher than in neighbouring
countries like France. Moreover, 28% of Spaniards hold a negative opinion of foreign tourists in
general, nearly double the percentage in France. Spain stands out as the only country surveyed
where more people oppose tourist apartments than support them. This growing dissatisfaction with
foreign visitors in Spain far exceeds that of other popular tourist destinations like Italy
and France. To understand this phenomenon, let's consider the perspective of Marta Perez
an anti-tourism activist from Cadiz, Andalusia. Marta, a trained secondary school teacher now
working as a waitress, describes her city as becoming a nightmare due to mass tourism
For Marta and many others, tourist apartments are a major concern. These short-term rentals
are blamed for driving up housing costs, forcing long-term residents out of their homes and
neighbourhoods. Marta explains that landlords often evict families to convert properties into
tourist accommodations, leaving locals struggling to find affordable housing in their own communities
The impact extends beyond housing issues. Marta describes how elderly residents, accustomed to
leaving their doors open, now feel unsafe due to the constant influx of strangers. Noise pollution
late-night partying and improper waste disposal by tourists further disrupt local life. While Marta
doesn't advocate for banning tourism outright, she suggests stricter management and regulation
Her recommendations include increasing taxes on tourists and educating visitors on being
conscientious travellers. She advises tourists to stay in hotels rather than apartments
dispose of waste properly and be mindful of local residents. These sentiments are echoed in other
popular tourist destinations like Malaga, Sevilla and Barcelona. However, it's important to note that
these views don't represent the majority opinion in Spain. The survey shows that 35% of Spaniards
believe the number of foreign tourists is about right and a quarter would welcome more visitors
Furthermore, while nearly 3 in 10 Spaniards view foreign tourists negatively, 65% still hold a
favourable opinion of them. Marta herself rejects the term tourismophobia, preferring to frame the
issue as neighbourphilia, a love for one's neighbours and community. The debate around mass tourism in
Spain highlights the complex balance between economic benefits and quality of life for local
residents. As the discussion continues, finding sustainable solutions that satisfy both tourists
and locals remains a significant challenge for Spain's tourism industry and policy makers