Following a public anti-tourism sentiment in Italy, Brigitte Foppa, a councillor with the European Greens party, said that tourism in the region has been “underestimated for years” and has grown “continuously”
Anti-tourist protests are spreading, now reaching overcrowded ski resorts.
Skiers ascending to the slopes at Alpe di Siusi in the Dolomites this week were taken aback to see the phrase “too much” scrawled in red on the snow below. The bold message, placed deliberately under a ski lift, marks the latest sign of frustration from locals, who have become increasingly upset with the surge of tourists flooding the area during the peak winter season.
Brigitte Foppa, a councillor with the European Greens party, said that tourism in the region has been “underestimated for years” and has grown “continuously,” making life unbearable for residents. “Affordable housing is scarce, the roads and parking areas are overcrowded, and the smog is suffocating,” she told La Repubblica . “Now we’re paying the price; the social rift is widening.”
The Dolomiti Superski region, which spans 1,200 skiable kilometres across 12 resorts, saw a 5% increase in visitors last winter, with a total of four million tourists, compared to 3.2 million in 2009. This isn’t the first time locals have taken action against the growing influx of tourists. Over the summer, frustrated residents painted a “priority” lane in Bolzano, creating an unofficial queue for themselves after tourists clogged access to cable cars, causing delays for commuters.
Foppa stated that the influx is “making life impossible for residents.”
A spokesperson for Dolomiti Superski downplayed the graffiti, attributing it not to locals but to people from cities like Bolzano who “want the Dolomites to themselves.” He added, “People who live and work here don’t complain.” This follows a similar incident in Roccaraso, a ski resort in the Apennine mountains, where thousands of tourists descended on the area at once, fueled by bargain day-trip deals.
Anti-tourist protests have become a regular feature in many parts of the world in recent years. One of the destinations urging tourists to stay away this summer is a Brit favourite – Majorca in Spain. Over the past year, anti-tourism demonstrations have been frequent. In May 2024, over 100,000 people marched in Palma de Majorca to protest that tourism was having a negative impact on affordable housing. Later, in June, protesters occupied St Rapita Beach and Caló des Moro Cove, urging tourists to leave. Similar protests have also been seen inIbiza,and Menorca, where locals chained up some streets to keep visitors out between 8pm and 11am.
Unrest in the city of Barcelona has also been going on for several years now. Back in 2017, masked men attacked a tour bus by slashing its tires and spray-painting it with graffiti.
Anti-tourism protests have also been common, and often include campaigns regarding affordable housing for locals. Recently, the city announced that it will impose a number of restrictions on short-term rentals. In addition, the Mayor, Jaume Collboni, revealed plans to eliminate all tourist apartments by 2029.
Last year, a protest that saw tourists squirted with water pistols hit news outlets worldwide, signifying it is one of the most unwelcoming places to visit during peak season.
