Growing protests against overtourism across several European countries are increasingly shifting their focus away from visitors and towards large corporations, real estate developers and wealthy investors, who locals believe are driving the commercialisation of public spaces while offering little benefit to residents. Activists argue that the real conflict is not between tourists and locals, but between communities and business interests that are transforming coastlines and cities for profit.
According to the report, demonstrations have intensified in countries including Portugal, Spain, Greece, Albania and Cyprus, where residents have raised concerns over luxury tourism projects, privatisation of beaches, soaring property prices and shrinking access to public resources. Protesters say large-scale tourism developments have fuelled housing shortages, increased living costs and placed heavy pressure on local infrastructure, making everyday life increasingly difficult for permanent residents.
One of the latest flashpoints has emerged in Portugal’s Arrábida region, where campaigners have opposed plans that they believe would restrict public access to coastal areas. Similar concerns have surfaced in Albania, where proposed luxury resort developments linked to international investors have sparked demonstrations over environmental protection and alleged corruption in land deals. Activists argue that beaches and other natural assets are gradually being handed over to private developers at the expense of local communities.
The report notes that while millions of tourists continue to visit southern Europe every year, many residents do not blame holidaymakers themselves for the crisis. Instead, they contend that governments and private investors have encouraged unchecked tourism expansion without ensuring affordable housing, environmental safeguards or fair distribution of economic benefits. As a result, many locals feel excluded from the prosperity generated by tourism despite living in the destinations attracting millions of visitors annually.
Housing has become one of the most contentious issues. Residents in several tourist hotspots claim that the rapid growth of holiday rentals and luxury accommodation has pushed up rents and property prices, forcing young people and lower-income families out of their neighbourhoods. Many argue that jobs created by the tourism sector are often seasonal, low-paying and insecure, while the profits largely flow to multinational companies and wealthy investors.
The article also links the current situation to broader economic policies adopted over the past decade. It argues that privatisation, deregulation and austerity measures, introduced in some countries with the backing of international financial institutions, have made it easier for private developers to acquire valuable public land and coastal areas. Critics believe these policies have reduced government control over strategic assets while weakening protections for local communities.
Environmental concerns have further intensified public opposition. Campaigners warn that uncontrolled construction, overcrowded beaches and increasing demand for water, transport and waste management services are placing fragile ecosystems under severe strain. They argue that unless stricter regulations are introduced, many popular destinations could face long-term ecological damage alongside worsening living conditions for residents.
The report concludes that tackling overtourism will require structural reforms rather than simply limiting visitor numbers. Activists are calling for stronger government oversight, tighter regulation of large tourism developments, improved housing protections and policies that ensure local communities benefit more fairly from tourism revenues. They maintain that the objective is not to discourage travel but to create a model of tourism that protects public resources, preserves natural landscapes and allows residents to continue living affordably in the places they call home.
