Traveling Is a Privilige, Not a Right

Article by Tamás Békássy, founder of Heed DMC - Mobility - Guide

This summer, the debate over overtourism has heated up, with protests erupting in hotspots like Barcelona and Mallorca. Frustrated residents are fed up with waves of tourists flooding their cities, driving up housing prices, and eroding local culture. In Barcelona, locals armed with water guns squirted tourists in protest, while in Mallorca, surging real estate prices have sparked a housing crisis. This backlash underscores an urgent need to rethink tourism, balancing economic benefits with the quality of life for those who call these destinations home.

Overtourism, where too many tourists overwhelm a location, is wreaking havoc worldwide—from Venice to Bali. It’s fueled by cheap flights, platforms like Airbnb, and aggressive marketing by cities eager to boost their economies. But the downsides are mounting: natural sites are degraded, local cultures commercialized, and communities displaced. In Budapest, overtourism has turned vibrant neighborhoods into ghost towns, with locals pushed out by skyrocketing rents and historic areas like the Jewish Quarter overrun, leading to tension between residents and visitors.

Overtourism isn’t just bad for locals; it’s unsustainable for the tourism industry itself. Overcrowding destroys the very experiences tourists seek—pristine landscapes, historic sites, authentic cultures—leading to dissatisfaction and a potential decline in visitors over time. Simply put, no one wants to visit a city that’s become a tourist trap.

Some destinations have tried to tackle overtourism with measures like visitor caps, higher taxes, and promoting off-season travel. But these efforts often fall short. Regulatory measures are frequently undermined by poor enforcement, and even well-intentioned solutions can backfire. In Hallstatt, Austria, a “selfie fence” meant to limit overcrowding only drew more attention to the issue, proving ineffective.

One promising approach is using pricing strategies to manage visitor numbers. Raising entry fees or implementing surge pricing during peak seasons can deter mass tourism and attract more conscientious travelers. These measures can help preserve both the environment and cultural heritage by generating revenue that can be reinvested locally. Critics argue this creates an elitist travel environment, but the reality is that without such measures, the long-term viability of popular destinations is at risk.

As a matter of fact, tourism used to be elitist. The term “tourist” emerged in the 18th century as leisure travel among the wealthy became more common, particularly with the rise of the Grand Tour—a cultural pilgrimage for young European aristocrats to cities like Paris, Venice, and Rome. Travel then was costly and challenging, signaling undoubtedly status—but also a thirst for knowledge. Today, however, tourism is often about capturing the perfect Instagram shot rather than meaningful engagement with a place. This shift toward superficial travel experiences diminishes curiosity—the very trait that once made travel enriching.

While travel is a privilege, existing in a livable environment and practicing local culture is a fundamental right. Residents should not have to compete with transient visitors for affordable housing, access to public spaces, or the ability to maintain their way of life. Tourism should not come at the cost of a community’s well-being or its cultural and social fabric. Protecting the integrity of destinations—whether through stricter controls or higher fees—is essential to ensure they remain vibrant and livable for both residents and conscientious travelers.

Sustainable tourism isn't just good for the planet; it's good for everyone who values genuine travel experiences.