Southern European activists join forces against mass tourism – EURACTIV.com

Neighborhood associations and militant groups from 14 cities in southern Europe have formed a network to join forces in their fight against mass tourism which was presented Thursday (April 26) in Barcelona.

The “SET Network” of Southern European Cities Against Tourism is planning to organize joint protest actions to pressure governments to “set limits on the tourism industry” and even promote its “ decrease ”.

The network’s first action was to publish a manifesto denouncing how mass tourism is driving up rents, eliminating local shops, creating poorly paid jobs and generating pollution.

For the moment, the network is made up of groups of ten Spanish cities including Madrid, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca as well as Lisbon and Venice. It also includes the Spanish Canary Islands and Malta.

The move comes as cities across Europe have stepped up efforts to crack down on home-sharing sites like Airbnb, as concerns grow about the side effects of their growing popularity amid fears of a shortage of housing. housing for local residents.

International tourist arrivals rose 8.0% in the European Union last year, to 538 million, or 40% of the world total, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, based in Madrid.

Speaking to the Guardian, UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai said rising anti-tourist sentiment is “a very serious situation that must be dealt with seriously”. If managed properly, tourism can be the “best ally” for conservation, preservation and community, he told the British newspaper in August last year after protests in Spain.

“It should not be abandoned for the sake of mismanagement,” Rifai said. “Ensuring that tourism is a rewarding experience for visitors and hosts requires strong and sustainable tourism policies, practices and the commitment of national and local governments and administrations, private sector companies, local communities and communities. tourists themselves, ”he said.

In a 2015 resolution, the European Parliament declared that “European tourism must move from a quantitative growth model to a qualitative model leading to stable and sustainable development”, with an emphasis on skilled jobs, diversification tourism in rural and coastal areas. , and sustainable employment.

France remains the queen of tourist destinations

France has retained its position as the world’s favorite tourist destination in 2016, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said on Wednesday (August 2nd), defying concerns over the terrorist attacks. British tourism has declined after the value of the British pound fell after the Brexit vote.