Nan Pallo was at a rehearsal dinner in the modern Norte neighborhood of Mexico City, before the wedding of two American friends, when he heard a “roar” outside.
From the second story of the restaurant, Balo described the vision of a large group of people who move in the streets, and some of them carry signs, screaming “leaving GRINGOS”.
He later learned that the demonstrators destroyed the windows and damaged cars, including the new car for his friends’ wedding plan – a local resident – he said.
“They smashed her car, smashed a window, torn the mirror, and sprayed her side. It was very bad,” he said.
Palmero, a thirsty traveler from San Antonio, Texas, said that he heard that a flow of digital nomads and foreign tourists had risen in some of the most popular city neighborhoods.
But he did not realize that the residents were organizing demonstrations, such as those that he read about In Barcelona and other parts of EuropeHe said.
“People … they want to go and try these beautiful and wonderful cultures around the world,” he said, adding, “We affect the thing that we are trying to try in a negative way.”
The protests are high
Bernadet Bab, the first researcher at the European Tourism Institute in the Netherlands, said that the protests against tourists increased the frequency and size as the residents-who obtained an excerpt from their cities without tourists during the epidemic-to prenatal levels, or even exceeded prenatal levels.
She said that the population usually chooses the protests, instead of other forms of pressure, because they generate public awareness, which leads to media coverage and societal pressure of governments. This happened in Barcelona, while other forms of societal pressure are high in tourism on the agenda of the political business in Amsterdam.
Wall writing on the wall in Mexico City. In Mexico, “Gringo” is often used to refer to foreigners, especially those in the United States.
Source: Ernest Osuna
Local population also protests because they do not know those who resort to it. Bab said: “The status of public tourism policies is very fragmented, which makes it difficult for the population to determine the appropriate decision makers to interact with them.” “This is often intensified due to frustration and the loss of faith in the government due to the perceived inaction.”
Why are tourists targeting?
Tatiana Tsukanova, a professor and visiting researcher at the College of Hospitality at the College of Hospitality, said that the reactions of the population tend to develop as alienation intensified.
“They may tolerate it at first, then Voice concerns, sometimes the confrontation, and ultimate search for ways to adapt and pay For constructive change, she said: “And along this path, tourists often become a scapegoat.”
The man and a woman covers her ears while the demonstrators cut off their meal in Barcelona on July 6, 2024.
Josep Lago AFP | Gety pictures
In July 2024, demonstrators in Barcelona, Spain, ThrowAnd use a tape similar to the police to prevent hotel entrances and pavement cafes. The message from the crowd was clear: “Tourists go home.”
Barcelona, and the Spanish island of Mallorca The demonstrators who raised the water rifle saw in JuneWhile there were demonstrations in other parts of Spain, Venice, Italy, Perbun, Portugal, according to Associated Press. She said that the Barcelona demonstrators started fireworks and opened a box of pink smoke.
Tsukanova said that travelers may be the visual factor to blame, but politics gaps are the root of the problem.
The confrontation is a tactic
Tsukanova said that direct confrontations with tourists can make passengers feel unwindive, and thus lead some of them to reconsideration trips.
but, This effect is usually short -livedShe said. After the protests throughout Spain in 2024, tourist expatriates increased by 4.1 % in the first seven months of 2025, according to the National Statistical Institute.
A man argues with the demonstrators outside the Barcelona Hotel on July 6, 2024.
Baku Fryer SOPA photos | Lightrockket | Gety pictures
She said that the protests can generate awareness of the problems facing the population, which may lead to changing travelers on certain behaviors, such as choosing hotels on short -term rents.
Tsukanova said there is little evidence that protests have long -term effects.
Bab said that the cities that respond to the pressure caused by the protests often do so with more symbolic dedicated policies, which are meaningful.
She said: “These measures, in turn, enhance societal concerns and feed negative perceptions of tourism.” “It’s a course.”
Possible solutions
Lionel Saul, lecturer at EHL guest school, said that destinations can reduce short -term rents and impose higher taxes on tourists, to prevent cities that are “not made for living, but for tourism.”
While academics develop ideas for “Renewal travel– Cities should include that there are forms of tourism that help the local population, rather than hindering, to local communities in developing tourism.
Doug Lansky, a travel writer and a repeated speaker about tourism development, said that local voices are often missing from critical discussions, which hurt the long -term destinations.
“If these residents have a seat on the table – that is, a table – where they felt that the voices were heard locally, they will not have to walk in the streets,” he said.
Lansky is a supporter of “managed tourism”, referring to limits such as specified entries in attractions, guest caps, and restriction, but not eliminating short -term rental markets.
He said that the comparison was less coincidence than the travelers in the past.
“It is not fun … (but) your day will not be lost in the queue,” he said. “It will benefit everything.”
Clarification: This article has been updated to clarify that societal pressure is high on tourism schedules in Amsterdam.
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