The summer European tourism reached a breaking point

Overwhelmed destinations made high-season visitors the targets of a major tourism backlash. Heat waves and fires only added to the pressure

Although the final visitor numbers for this summer are not yet available, they are projected to exceed 2019 levels. In the second quarter alone, international arrivals were six percent higher than those in 2019, according to the European Travel Commission.

Key takeaways

• Tourism remains a vital economic engine for many European destinations, but some locals argue that a greater portion of tourism revenue should be reinvested into communities and infrastructure;
• The pandemic intensified local frustrations as residents experienced life without tourists. Once travel restrictions were lifted, large crowds quickly returned;
• “This summer has created a perfect storm of challenges, including excessive visitor numbers, poor behavior, and the impacts of climate change,” said Richard Butler, professor emeritus of hospitality and tourism management at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

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