Tourism is a major source of income for many EU countries, but it is also increasingly a source of grievance for local communities as residents complain of housing shortages and rising costs.
Spain, Italy, and France are the top three European countries where the backlash against mass tourism is the strongest, according to a new study by the digital entertainment platform JB.com.
Official figures may give an indication why: in the first four months of 2026, the number of tourists in Spain rose by 3.4%, and the country is expecting a rise of 7.1% in passenger numbers on incoming international flights this June compared to last year, according to the tourism ministry.
Italy and France are also expected to see a rise of 12% and 2.6% in June compared to the same period in 2025, according to a press note released by the Spanish tourism ministry.
In contrast, Cyprus and Albania are the most welcoming to visitors in Europe, according to JB.com, with no documented anti-tourism protests and minimal regulatory pressure on travellers.
The study analysed protest intensity, media attention, tourist tax rates, and visitor-to-resident ratios across 30 countries around the world.
Which cities witnessed the most anti-tourism protests?
Spain, which ranks first among the 30 countries analysed, registered anti-tourism protests in more than 40 cities nationwide, from Barcelona to the Canary Islands.
Catalonia, the northeastern region where Barcelona is located, attracted around 20.1 million tourists in 2025, 0.6% more than in 2024. It was followed by the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
In June last year, protesters marched through central Barcelona holding signs stating “Tourism is killing Barcelona” and squirting people with water pistols in tourist hotspots.
In addition, Italy has also been the stage of protests in Venice, Rome, Florence, Naples, and Milan.
Some activists have sabotaged key boxes used by short-term rental landlords to show their discontent with the lack of affordable accommodation for locals.
In an effort to curb overtourism, Venice has reintroduced specific dates from Friday to Sunday in April, May, June, and July that will tax daytrippers.
Meanwhile, France has seen nationwide protests in Marseille, Nice, and Paris alongside growing activism against cruise ships, reflecting active resident resistance across both mainland and coastal destinations.
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