Living Among Tourists: How Overtourism is Shattering Communities in Portugal and Spain

Overtourism's Impact on Local Communities

As visitor numbers soar to record levels in southern Europe, long-term residents in cities like Lisbon and Barcelona are feeling the effects of overtourism. Maria, a 71-year-old resident of Lisbon, recalls a harrowing moment when she couldn't find a neighbor to help her husband during a medical emergency due to the prevalence of tourist flats in her building. "I really miss it. We should be a kind of social network, and that social network doesn’t exist," she laments.

The Ghost Town Effect

Alex, another Lisbon resident, describes living in a building where every unit except his is rented out to tourists. "It’s very weird. Imagine, I have no neighbours, even though I’m in the middle of a big city," he says, expressing feelings of isolation in a bustling environment. The constant influx of tourists has led to chaos, noise, and a lack of community.

The Strain on Residents

Residents like Esther in Barcelona face their own challenges, living under tourist flats that host loud parties, leading to a constant need to involve local police. "It’s horrible, absolutely horrible," she states, highlighting the degradation of living conditions.

Joao Povoa, a Lisbon resident, shares similar experiences of living between two tourist flats, feeling anxious and detached from a sense of community.

The Fight for Community

Many residents have begun to take action. In Lisbon, over 6,600 residents have called for a referendum to ban tourist flats in residential areas. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, tenants are fighting against the transformation of their homes into tourist accommodations, seeking to preserve their community.

A Community in Decline

As residents express their frustrations, they recognize that the steady erosion of their communities is a significant loss. The emotional toll is evident as they grapple with the changes brought by tourism. "I’m a sociable person, I really am. But it gets to the point that when I see somebody with a suitcase, I just turn away," reflects one resident.

The struggle between the needs of tourists and the rights of long-term residents continues, raising crucial questions about the future of urban living in these popular destinations.