‘Tourists go home’ slogans in Europe amid housing pressure, 3.5 lakh Gujaratis visit annually

European cities are witnessing growing protests against ‘overtourism’, with locals in Spain, Italy, and Portugal taking to the streets with banners reading ‘Tourists Go Home’ and ‘Your Holidays, My Misery’ as rising tourist numbers drive up housing costs and living expenses.

In the past decade, Gujarati travellers to Europe have increased sharply, with data showing that out of 8.5 lakh Indian tourists visiting Europe, nearly 3.4 lakh are from Gujarat alone. Affordable packages, promotions, and availability of Gujarati food have made Europe a preferred destination for Gujaratis, with around 3.5 lakh visiting annually.

Post Covid , tourism contributes 6% to the GDP of countries like Italy, Spain, and Portugal, with Indian tourists making up 2% of this share 40% of whom are Gujaratis. However, the surge in visitors has led to skyrocketing property prices, forcing many local residents to struggle with affordability.

According to Eurostat, Italy sees 450 million tourist stays annually, while Portugal records around 480 million, resulting in over 8,000 local homes being converted into homestays to meet the demand. This has placed additional pressure on housing markets, displacing locals and increasing costs.

Reports state that 93% of tourists visiting Europe go to Italy, 97% to France, and 89% to Belgium, with 33% of tourists staying in hotels and 49% opting for homestays, further burdening local resources.

With locals facing higher rents and daily living expenses, protests are intensifying in tourist-heavy European cities, with demands for stricter regulations to manage the influx of visitors.