Venice, Barcelona, Kyoto, Bali, and Beyond: Navigating Tourist Backlash with Respect and Awareness
June 29, 2025 — In recent years, some of the world’s most beloved travel destinations have begun to send a clear message: tourists are not always welcome in the way they once were. Cities like Venice, Barcelona, Kyoto, and Bali sit at the heart of a growing global discourse on tourism’s impact, where escalating tourist backlash, cultural resentment, and local discontent challenge the traditional travel experience.
A Chilly Reception in Venice and Other Iconic Cities
A recent visitor to Venice described feeling more like an intruder than a welcome guest. She encountered steep tourist fees, numerous signs forbidding common tourist behaviors such as sitting on public steps or eating outdoors, and noticed disapproving looks when she spoke English. These subtle but unmistakable signals underscored a growing tension between locals and the influx of visitors.
Venice is not alone in this. Many European destinations report overwhelming visitor numbers that strain infrastructure and create friction. For example, the Louvre Museum, the world’s most visited museum, recently faced staff walkouts due to overcrowding and understaffing. In cities including Barcelona, Lisbon, and Venice itself, protests have erupted, with residents voicing deep concerns about how unregulated tourism is harming their quality of life and diluting their cultural identity.
The Complex Reality of Tourism
Tourism is a double-edged sword: while it supports local economies through jobs and businesses, it also contributes to rising living costs, housing shortages, and cultural erosion. This tension places residents in a difficult position — they benefit financially but endure personal and communal disadvantages. Experts note that this year, the frustration of local populations has become particularly vocal, with a growing call for reclaiming their cities from what they see as unchecked tourism.
How Travelers Should Respond When They Feel Unwelcome
Faced with this reality, what should visitors do? The answer is clear: do not give up on traveling but recalibrate your approach.
The Venice traveler mentioned earlier chose to adapt by learning and using simple Italian phrases such as “Buongiorno” and “Grazie” to ease interactions. She avoided major tourist hotspots during peak times and supported local businesses rather than those that cater exclusively to mass tourism. These conscious, respectful efforts were met with warmer receptions by locals, illustrating how small changes can make a big difference.
Practical Tips for Being a Welcome Guest
Travel experts emphasize that preparation is key. Before leaving home, travelers should research local customs, social norms, and current attitudes toward tourism. Hiring a local guide is strongly recommended. Such a guide can steer visitors away from overcrowded areas to less traveled spots offering authentic experiences, which benefits both the traveler and the destination by easing congestion.
Traveling in small groups and observing cultural sensitivities—such as avoiding loud conversations in traditionally quiet areas or dressing in accordance with local expectations—can significantly improve how tourists are received.
Etiquette experts stress the importance of learning local customs and making genuine efforts to respect them. Simple acts like greeting locals in their language and showing curiosity about their culture can turn potentially tense encounters into warm exchanges.
Reflections on Hospitality Across Cultures
Some regions, including Turkey, the Middle East, and the American South, maintain strong traditions of hospitality, often welcoming travelers with open arms. However, other destinations such as Australia, Brazil, and parts of the Caribbean have shown less openness, sometimes fueled by past grievances or present-day tourism pressures.
In Corsica, for example, a tourism specialist who approached protesting locals about their concerns learned that cruise ship pollution was severely affecting resident health. By engaging respectfully rather than dismissing the protests, she earned local appreciation and deeper understanding.
The takeaway: responding to local frustrations with kindness, politeness, and persistence in showing goodwill can help build bridges even in difficult situations.
Destinations Taking Action in 2025
Through 2025, many popular tourist spots are implementing measures to balance tourism and local wellbeing:
- Amsterdam, Netherlands: Early bar closings and cannabis restrictions to curb party tourism.
- Athens, Greece: Daily visitor caps at the Acropolis, limiting numbers to 20,000.
- Bali, Indonesia: Enforced behavior guidelines and dress codes at sacred sites, plus new tourist taxes.
- Barcelona, Spain: Restrictions on hotel construction amid protests over housing costs and tourist saturation.
- Bhutan: Maintaining a “high-value, low-volume” tourism approach with a $100 per night tourism fee.
- Canary Islands, Spain: Addressing housing affordability and service pressures.
- Cinque Terre, Italy: Considering ticketing systems for hiking trails to manage foot traffic.
- Dubrovnik, Croatia: Limiting cruises and promoting responsible travel initiatives.
- Kyoto, Japan: Banning tourists from private alleys in Gion to protect geisha culture.
- Venice, Italy: New day-trip fees and bans on large cruise ships to preserve its historic heart.
These measures signal a broader industry shift toward sustainable, culturally sensitive tourism, emphasizing small-group travel, off-peak visits, and authentic local engagement.
Embracing a New Era of Travel
Travelers in 2025 and beyond are called to embrace a new paradigm:
- Seek out lesser-known destinations.
- Travel during less busy periods.
- Plan well in advance, as many sites require permits or reservations.
- Cultivate cultural awareness and learn basic local language phrases.
- Approach travel as a mutually respectful exchange rather than mere consumption.
Tourism is not unwelcome, but it is evolving. By making thoughtful, respectful choices, travelers can enjoy enriching experiences while supporting the preservation of the places they cherish.
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