Europe is grappling with the challenges of over-tourism, a phenomenon that has led to soaring rent prices, local displacement, and strain on infrastructure. The issue is further exacerbated by climate change. In response, European cities and countries are taking proactive steps to manage the influx of visitors and preserve their cultural and natural heritage.
Some destinations are actively discouraging mass tourism by implementing restrictions and fees, while others are guiding visitors towards less-crowded areas. Here’s a glimpse at how various European countries are tackling the issue:
Italy:
Venice has introduced a €5 entry fee for day-trippers and banned large cruise ships from the city center. Short-term rental restrictions are also in place. Florence encourages tourists to explore beyond its historical core to alleviate crowding.Spain:
Barcelona has halted new short-term rental licenses and imposed fines on illegal rentals, with plans to phase out short-term lets by 2028. Mallorca has limited cruise ship arrivals, and Madrid is exploring new tourist taxes and accommodation regulations.Netherlands:
Amsterdam has increased tourist taxes to 12.5%, prohibited large buses from the city center, and restricted new hotel developments.Greece:
Santorini and Mykonos have introduced a €20 peak season levy to manage cruise ship visitors. The Acropolis in Athens now caps daily visitor numbers at 20,000 and enforces time slots to reduce congestion.France:
Paris has raised tourist taxes by 200% and restricted short-term rentals to 120 days annually. Nice is considering a hike in its tourist tax, and sustainable tourism practices are being promoted across the country.Croatia:
Dubrovnik is limiting cruise ship arrivals to two per day, with a maximum of 4,000 passengers allowed in the city at once. Krka National Park has introduced a daily visitor cap and banned swimming in certain areas to protect the environment.Portugal:
Lisbon has restricted short-term rental licenses and uses real-time data to monitor tourist flows. In Sintra, local protests against mass tourism are pushing for policies to alleviate traffic congestion.Austria:
Hallstatt has set limits on bus and car entries and frozen the number of tourist accommodations at 2019 levels.Iceland:
Iceland promotes off-season tourism and encourages visits to lesser-known regions to ease pressure on popular sites. The Tourist Site Protection Fund supports infrastructure improvements in these areas.Slovenia:
Ljubljana directs visitors to nearby towns to reduce pressure on the capital. The Soča Valley focuses on sustainable infrastructure to manage tourist impact.Germany:
Berlin aims to attract culture and history enthusiasts rather than party-goers, while the Bavarian Alps and other natural sites have introduced visitor caps during peak seasons to safeguard the environment.Switzerland:
Zermatt is considering a CHF 12 day-tripper fee to support sustainability efforts. As a car-free zone, visitors must use electric buses and taxis for local travel.Hungary:
Budapest has limited short-term rentals to 120 days per year, promoted lesser-known destinations to distribute tourist numbers, and improved public transport to manage congestion. Awareness campaigns are also educating tourists on local culture and environmental conservation.These measures demonstrate a growing recognition of the need to balance tourism with sustainability, ensuring that both locals and visitors can enjoy Europe’s rich cultural and natural heritage. The shift towards a more sustainable and responsible tourism model is essential for preserving the beauty and charm of Europe for future generations.
