Europe’s Overtourism Protests and the Voices of Indigenous People
The world’s richest man just got married in the beautiful city of Venice, Italy. But instead of celebratory wishes for the newlyweds, the city rang with protests. Rather than excitement over the reported 50-million-dollar income boost from the wedding, Venetians took to the streets, burning and drowning effigies of the groom. Their grievance? Overtourism and its consequences.
From the loss of land and property, skyrocketing rent prices, and cultural erosion to the destruction of the fragile lagoon ecosystem, southern Europeans are uniting to protest the harmful effects of mass tourism on their environment and way of life.
Yet, for decades, Indigenous peoples around the world have been raising the same concerns. They have long fought to reclaim their land, culture, identity, and ecosystems, often from the very same forces that now plague Europe. Economically and socially marginalized due to land grabs, exploitation, and systemic oppression, Indigenous peoples have often lacked the platform to make their voices heard. Unlike Europe’s overtourism protests, which receive extensive media coverage, Indigenous protests have largely been ignored or even ridiculed.
It is worth noting that Europeans and people of European descent have historically made up the bulk of global tourists. From Africa and Asia to the Americas, Europeans have traversed the globe as explorers, colonizers, prospectors, and later as leisure travelers. In the process, they intentionally or inadvertently erased Indigenous cultures, languages, histories, and in some cases, entire populations, while exploiting natural and economic resources.
Europe’s Overtourism of Indigenous Peoples
By historically overreaching their boundaries and invading Indigenous territories, European actions have caused lasting harm to affected communities. Even today, overtourism in Indigenous regions, often driven by Europeans and those of European descent, carries consequences far more severe than what is currently being seen in southern Europe.
In Kenya and Tanzania, the Maasai people have long been portrayed as an exotic attraction for European safari tourism. Their culture is often commodified, leading to distortions of their traditions, displacement from ancestral lands, and restrictions on grazing to make way for tourism infrastructure.
In Northern Europe, the Sámi Indigenous people of Norway, Sweden, and Finland face increased pressure during the Christmas season, when reindeer herding areas are overrun by tourists and snowmobiles. This disturbs their animals, disrespects sacred lands, and interferes with traditional practices.
In Australia, tourists, mostly from Europe and other wealthy countries, historically climbed Uluru despite the Anangu people's repeated pleas to respect it as a sacred site. This led to physical degradation of the rock, violation of cultural protocols, and minimal direct economic benefits to its Indigenous custodians. Climbing was only banned in 2019 after decades of Indigenous advocacy.
These are just a few examples of contemporary exploitation. A summarized account of historical overtourism would take this discussion in a direction beyond its current scope.
Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You
European overtourism protesters have valid concerns, and their passion for protecting their communities is commendable. However, it must be said: the scale and duration of their suffering pale in comparison to what Indigenous peoples have endured at the hands of European explorers, colonizers, investors, and tourists.
Today’s Europeans may be innocent or unaware of the atrocities committed by their ancestors. But Indigenous communities are still in pain. They continue to grapple with the enduring consequences of centuries-long oppression, many aspects of which persist today.
As Europe's overtourism protests receive global attention, let this moment serve as a mirror. May the world recognize that the very issues now afflicting parts of Europe have long been part of Indigenous peoples’ reality, multiplied many times over.