A study by TCI Research highlights the phenomenon of tourism phobia in several European cities

11-06-23

The tourism industry is in full swing as it seeks to regain pre-pandemic activity figures. However, in some major European cities there is a reluctance to over-tourism.  The numbers race does not stop. Destinations and tourism experiences are moving in all directions to climb back up the slope left by the pandemic and return to (or exceed) pre-2019 figures.

However, a study by TCI Research raises some alarm bells. According to researcher Olivier Henry-Biabaud, "the signs in the travel sector are green, but they can also be red". While the desire to travel continues unabated, in a kind of grand revenge for the tourism sector after three years of difficulties, it is the residents of some of Europe's major cities - which are also major centres of tourism attraction - who are sounding the alarm bells.

While the average rate of "tourismphobia" in Europe is only 4 % on average, it rises to "8 % of residents fed up with tourism" in some big cities. "These are people who can't stand tourists any more," the researcher explained, pointing out that above the 10 % threshold, destinations are "in the red zone".

"The vast majority of Europeans believe that tourism generates more positive than negative effects. However, antagonisms are being created in the regions. Those who are against tourism are increasingly at odds with each other, which can create tensions within communities", especially in the high season.

In Amsterdam the situation is almost extreme: one third of residents are tourist-phobic, according to TCI Research, and the city has stepped up initiatives to limit the influx of visitors. Following this example, "some destinations are considering strategies to reduce growth, also in the face of the climate emergency. Others are content with quotas or gauges".

TCI Research also studied traveller satisfaction factors and concluded that the welcome offered by the local population is the number one factor influencing tourist satisfaction. To limit anti-tourist sentiment, it is important to involve the local population in the tourism dynamic by informing and consulting them. According to Henry-Biabaud, the revenue from the tourist tax can even be used in some cases to finance municipal projects.