Summary of A Europa está cansada de tanto turista | Podcast

00:00:00 - 00:10:00

In the "A Europa está cansada de tanto turista" podcast episode, Fernanda Zolini and Bruno Manhães discuss the negative consequences of mass tourism on European communities, specifically focusing on the Canary Islands in Spain. With an influx of 16 million tourists and over 20 billion euros in spending in 2023, the tourism industry significantly contributes to the local economy, but residents face issues such as a housing shortage, unaffordable rentals, low wages, increased litter and pollution, and a lack of water. Manhães, a turismologist and professor, emphasizes the importance of understanding tourism's social and economic impacts and regulating tourist flows for sustainable growth. The French government is taking steps to address the issue, but residents' negative perceptions of tourism are understandable due to the diminishing benefits and growing drawbacks. Manhães also argues that overconsumption in tourism can be harmful to the environment, culture, and economy, and suggests alternative forms of tourism, such as creative and experience tourism, to benefit local communities and preserve cultural heritage.

• 00:00:00 In this section of the "A Europa está cansada de tanto turista" podcast episode, Fernanda Zolini discusses the consequences of mass tourism in European cities, specifically focusing on the Canary Islands in Spain. With nearly 16 million tourists visiting and spending over 20 billion euros in 2023, the tourism industry contributes significantly to the local economy, generating employment. However, residents have taken to the streets to protest against mass tourism, citing negative consequences such as a housing shortage, unaffordable rentals, low wages, increased litter and pollution, and a lack of water. Bruno Manhães, a turismologist and professor, explains that while tourism is a social phenomenon, it is also an industry with economic impacts. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the industry's consequences and regulating tourist flows to ensure sustainable tourism for all. The French government has taken steps to address the issue by bringing together tourism industry stakeholders to improve the regulation of tourist inflows and raise awareness of the negative impacts of excessive tourism. Fernanda and Bruno discuss the importance of recognizing the dual nature of tourism – as a social phenomenon and an industry – and the need for a more conscious approach to tourism that considers the long-term impacts on local communities.
• 00:05:00 In this section of the podcast, the speakers discuss the impact of mass tourism on European communities, specifically the crisis in the real estate market. They explain how investors prefer to rent out properties exclusively for seasonal tourists on platforms like Airbnb, leading to a significant decrease in available housing for residents and rising rent prices. This issue is particularly prevalent in popular tourist destinations like the Canary Islands and Mallorca, where residents often face unemployment and poverty. The speakers also touch upon the regulation of short-term rentals in cities like Amsterdam and Barcelona, as well as limitations on the number of tourists and vehicles in certain areas. While these measures aim to control the influx of tourists, they are considered drastic and temporary solutions rather than corrective ones. The speakers acknowledge that residents' negative perceptions of tourism are understandable, as the benefits have diminished while the drawbacks have grown. The real problem, they argue, is not tourism itself but rather the disrespect for the capacity that was designed for these destinations.
• 00:10:00 In this section of the podcast titled "A Europa está cansada de tanto turista," Bruno Manhães discusses the impact of tourism on both destinations and travelers. He argues that overconsumption in tourism, which is driven by the desire to find happiness through the acquisition of objects and experiences, can be harmful to the environment, culture, and economy. Manhães suggests that tourists and the tourism industry need to change their behaviors and focus on sustainable and authentic experiences. He proposes creative tourism and experience tourism as alternatives to mass tourism, which can benefit local communities and preserve cultural heritage. The podcast emphasizes the importance of responsible and educated travel and the need to balance economic gains with environmental and cultural preservation.