Why water pistols are being used to fight overtourism - What in the World podcast, BBC World Service

Key Concepts

Tourism's impact on local communities, sustainable tourism, overtourism, housing affordability, cultural preservation, ethical travel, leakage rate, community-led experiences, government regulations, tourist behavior, UN Tourism recommendations, honesty oaths.

Tourism's Negative Impacts and the Rise of Protests

The video discusses the growing tension between tourists and locals in cities worldwide, exemplified by protests like those in Barcelona, Spain, where locals are using water pistols to spray tourists as a form of protest against overtourism. This tension stems from several factors:

• Housing Affordability: Platforms like Airbnb drive up housing prices, making it difficult for locals to afford rent, especially in areas where income disparities already exist. The influx of tourists willing to pay higher prices exacerbates this issue.
• Behavior of Tourists: Sometimes tourists don't behave at their best, impacting local communities.
• Cultural Preservation: Mass tourism can threaten the cultural identity of a place. In Barcelona, the influx of tourists makes it harder for the Catalan people to preserve their language and culture.

Government and Airbnb Responses

The Spanish government has responded to these protests by:

• Calling for the removal of 66,000 properties listed on Airbnb.
• Announcing a complete ban on short-term rentals in Barcelona from 2028.

Airbnb is fighting back against some of these government decisions while also making deals with different parts of the Spanish government to come to an arrangement or to come up with different, more sustainable ways of doing the work that they do. They argue that renting out flats is a legitimate way for some people to make money and support their families.

UN Tourism Recommendations for Sustainable Tourism

UN Tourism conducted a report in 2019, studying 18 cities worldwide and formulating 11 recommendations for managing tourism sustainably. Key recommendations include:

• Diversifying Tourist Destinations: Encouraging tourists to visit areas outside of popular city centers to distribute the burden of tourism.
• Promoting Off-Season Travel: Creating campaigns to attract visitors during less crowded times of the year. For example, a "Barcelona is gorgeous in Winter" campaign.
• Managing Tourist Flow: Developing specific itineraries and attractions to predict and manage the flow of people and resources.
• Ensuring Local Benefits: Making sure that local communities benefit from tourism and are not priced out.
• Improving City Infrastructure: Investing in infrastructure and facilities to accommodate both tourists and residents.
• Engaging with Locals and Visitors: Fostering communication and understanding between tourists and local communities.
• Monitoring and Data Collection: Establishing systems to monitor tourism's impact and collect data to inform policy decisions.

Ethical Travel and Individual Responsibility

The video emphasizes the importance of ethical travel and individual responsibility. It cites Anu Taranath, author of "Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World," who advocates for mindful and present travel. The co-founder of Roads and Kingdoms suggests acknowledging the inherent divisions created by money and class when traveling and striving for empathy.

Joy Malonza, an ethical travel influencer, provides questions to consider for more ethical travel:

• Who benefits from my travel? Research who owns the hotels and tour companies you support to ensure you're contributing to the local economy.
• Choose culturally immersive experiences: Opt for community-led experiences like walking tours, cooking classes, and storytelling sessions.
• Support marginalized communities: Prioritize activities that honor the histories and creative legacies of marginalized communities.

The concept of "leakage rate" is introduced, referring to the percentage of tourism revenue that leaves local economies. In the Caribbean, leakage rates can reach up to 80%, meaning most tourist spending doesn't support local workers or infrastructure.

Solutions and Examples from Around the World

The video highlights various solutions being implemented globally:

• Berlin: Has a directory of sustainable hotels and encourages cycling to reduce strain on public transport.
• Copenhagen: Implemented "CopenPay," incentivizing cycling with rewards like extended stays or free bike rentals.
• Cíes Islands (Galicia, Spain): Capped the number of visitors allowed at different times of the year, leading to more stable tourism throughout the year.
• Mexico: Government, Airbnb, and local partners collaborated on 14 sustainable travel experiences that benefit indigenous communities.
• Palau: Requires visitors to sign a pledge on arrival, written on behalf of the children of Palau, committing to preserving the island's environment. The pledge ends with the line: "The only footprints I shall leave are those that will wash away."

Conclusion

The video concludes that tourism, while beneficial in many ways (job creation, cultural exchange), can also have negative impacts on local communities and the environment. The key takeaway is the need for a shift towards more sustainable and ethical travel practices, involving governments, businesses, and individual tourists. This includes managing tourist flow, ensuring local benefits, and being mindful of the impact on local cultures and resources. The Palau example highlights the potential of symbolic gestures, like honesty oaths, to promote responsible behavior and build a culture of respect for local communities.