As worldwide tourist numbers continue to rise, major European destinations are making big moves to get mass tourism and its impact under control.
Tourist taxes are one tool being introduced or extended in the cities that struggle the most with runaway visitor numbers. Charges for overnight stays and cruise ship arrivals are set to become the norm, driving up the cost of international travel.
Following a more than doubling of global tourism numbers between 2000 and 2019, the UN’s World Tourism Organization said this year could set new records for international arrivals worldwide.
Overtourism leads to many issues, from visible problems including overcrowding in the streets and on public transit, to longer-term issues for locals.
In cities such as Amsterdam and Barcelona, the popularity of buy-to-let property and vacation rentals has created housing shortages and driven up rental prices, forcing out long-term residents in some cases.
From introducing or raising tourist taxes, to limiting numbers allowed on tours of historic sites, major European destinations are making big changes for 2024.
Amsterdam Focuses On Local Life
The Dutch capital has long suffered from a reputation as a party capital. Following the mixed success of last year’s international media campaign to shed this image, the city’s tourist authorities are trying something new in 2024.
A new strategy titled “Renew Your View,” seeks to improve the quality of life for residents by encouraging visitors to experience the city from a local’s perspective. This includes reducing the appeal for those seeking the nighttime entertainment for which the city has long been known.
At the beginning of 2024, Amsterdam implemented new regulations to prioritize housing for students, teachers, and trainee police officers, restrict the number of private holiday rentals, and reduce the cap on bed and breakfast accommodations by 30%.
The city is also limiting permits for tourist-focused souvenir shops in favor of local businesses like bookshops, salons, and gyms. This initiative, running until early 2025, aims to preserve the city’s charm and ensure a more authentic experience for visitors.
Amsterdam’s tourist taxes have also seen a significant hike, making these some of the highest rates in Europe.
The daily fee charged to cruise lines for day visitors has jumped to 14 euros ($15) per person, while the overnight fee built into hotel room rates has risen to 12.5% of the room rate. This increase applies to all accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget campgrounds.
Barcelona To Raise Tourist Tax
Ever since its transformation for the 1992 Olympic Games, the Catalan city has experienced a boom in tourism.
As one of the first European cities to declare an overtourism problem, Barcelona’s city leaders have tried various strategies over the past 10 years, with varying success.
Previous administrations chose to limit the number of hotel beds in the city, ban the opening of new hotels in the historic center, introduce a licensing system for property owners planning to rent out their apartments as short-term vacation rentals, and limit participation numbers for guided walking tours in the old city.
More recently, city officials have turned to tourism taxes. In addition to the tourist tax already in place for all overnight visitors, Barcelona now places a tax on cruise passenger arrivals, payable by the cruise lines.
Funds raised are to be channeled into local development projects, ranging from heritage site tourist routes to public restrooms at beaches.
More measures targeting cruise ships include the closure of a former city center cruise pier, forcing large vessels to dock farther away. The move has also reduced the maximum number of cruise ships able to dock in Barcelona from eight to seven.
Venice To Limit Tour Numbers
The beauty and romance of Venice is undeniable, but city leaders face more problems than arguably any other European city. Venice is essentially sinking, with flood damage increasing year after year.
While tourism numbers have risen to an astonishing 30 million per year, the number of residents has fallen sharply from 175,000 to just 53,000 over the past 70 years.
The city’s remaining residents are engaged in a long-term battle against cruise ship tourism. Opponents to cruising claim vessels have damaged centuries-old infrastructure and negatively impact the delicate ecosystem in the lagoon.
Most large cruise ships are now banned from docking in Venice itself, with some cruise lines choosing to dock an hour or more away from the city.
In 2024, Venice introduces two significant measures to mitigate overtourism. First, starting June 1, tour group sizes in the historic center and islands like Murano and Burano will be capped at 25 people.
That’s about half of a standard tour bus capacity, which will force tourism operators to rethink their approach. This rule aims to ease pedestrian traffic and noise pollution, with bans on portable loudspeakers and encouragement for quieter, radio-connected headsets.
Second, Venice will implement an access fee for day visitors during the Festa di San Marco held in late April. This trial, aimed at decongesting the city without a profit motive, requires day-trippers to register online and purchase a five-euro ($5.50) entry ticket, available as a QR code.
Certain exemptions apply, but the overarching goal is to promote sustainable tourism and protect Venice’s fragile infrastructure from the adverse effects of excessive tourism and environmental challenges.
Mass Tourism Beyond The Big Cities
Despite extensive media coverage, overtourism isn’t just a problem plaguing major tourist destinations.
Norway’s picturesque Lofoten is another area where tourist numbers far outstrip local residents, causing a headache for the relatively small local administration.
Faced with a lack of funds to pay for essential tourist facilities such as new parking areas and additional waste management resources, Lofoten officials have been given the green light to trial a tourist tax.
Residents in picturesque villages along the Italian Riviera have long had to put up with tourists stopping suddenly or parking inconsiderately in order to take photographs.
The mayor of Portofino, one of the best known beauty spots, has introduced a no-waiting zone for the summer season. People lingering on the quay during daytime hours risk being hit with a fine of almost $300.
