Over-tourism
has been a hot topic in several parts of Europe. Some
would even go as far as to call it a touchy subject.
But
now it’s getting downright ugly.
One
city in southern Spain is literally telling
visitors to go home,
only with much stronger language punctuated with a few choice expletives.
The city of Malaga is verbally retaliating against unwanted guests as frustrated residents appear to be taking matters into their own hands. This is not a new phenomenon, of course.
Not
the First
The Dutch government, for instance, tried to cap the number of visitors last year by limiting the number of flights that come into the country’s largest airport in Amsterdam. The measure failed, but not without some vociferous debate.
Malaga
residents have put up signs and stickers in the city that read “stinks of tourists,” “this used to be my
home,” and “go f—ing home.”
You
can’t get much more clear or direct than that.
Apparently,
it started with local bar owner Dani Drunko, who made anti-tourism stickers
after his landlord refused to negotiate the rent or sell him the home he had
been living in for 10 years. The house was turned into a tourist rental, and he
became quite upset.
His modest effort, including the signs and stickers admonishing tourists to leave the area, quickly caught fire as city residents tried to reclaim their locale.
Both sides have legitimate arguments. Proponents of limiting tourism point to the proliferation of people ruining landmarks and their natural heritage. Others point to the influx of tourism dollars and its impact on the local economy.
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