How many tourists are too many?

Every summer millions of tourists travel to the famous European cities. The visitors want to see the old streets and the museums. Tourists bring money and jobs to the cities. But for the residents it also brings many problems.

Venice is a very famous city in Italy. Fewer than 50,000 people live in the old city centre. But every year millions of tourists come there. Many of them stay only a few hours. Since 2024 some tourists have paid five euros to get in.

In Spain many residents are angry with the tourists. In 2024 there were big protests in Barcelona. For the residents life in the city is too expensive. Many owners rent out their flats to tourists. So there are fewer and fewer flats for local people.

Now many cities are looking for new rules for tourism. The cities want tourists, but not too many.