The over-tourism crisis in Spanish holiday destinations has wreaked havoc on its strained infrastructure and degraded natural resources, so tourists should instead look to economically sustainable travel that supports local businesses, argues the founder of a travel site.
Andre Van Kentz, Founder of DiscoverAfrica, argued the current challenges require a rethinking of our approach to tourism.
He said: “The issues currently faced in Barcelona and other Spanish cities highlight the severe socio-economic issues caused by over-tourism.
“Too often we see travellers heading to popular locations in peak season in their millions, causing congestion and putting immense pressure on local services and people.”
Mr Van Kentz argued western travellers often take a “checklist” travel approach, prioritising “over-saturated” tourist destinations.
He continued: “Instead, travellers should consider alternate destinations. Africa presents a unique opportunity to lead the way in promoting slow-haul travel through sustainable safari experiences.
“Unlike traditional tourism models, which often result in economic leakage where profits do not benefit local communities, our approach focuses on partnering with local communities to enable tourism revenue that directly supports their economies.”
Income generated through the company’s safaris through the “expert guiding services” provided by locals stays within their communities and helps improve living standards, particularly in rural areas, he added.
This news will be welcomed by many tourists, who have recently vowed to never visit Spain again amid anti-tourism protests that have gripped both the mainland, in cities such as Barcelona, and its island archipelagos of the Balearics and the Canary Islands.
The first major protests in a Spanish holiday hotspot erupted on April 20, when tens of thousands of residents in Tenerife, Fuerteventura and other Canary Islands took their frustration against over-tourism issues to the streets.
Since then, tourists have been sprayed with water pistols in Barcelona and others have been blocked from enjoying popular Majorcan beaches such as Calo del Moro, with protesters carrying banners and shouting: “Tourists go home”.
Just this week, lockboxes at several apartments in Seville were smeared with dog poo, coinciding with a new proposal by the city to limit licences for Airbnb-style short-term rentals. This proposal followed a protest of hundreds last month, who demanded an end to Airbnb licences that are driving up rents in the city centre and are forcing locals out.
“Not only this, but safari travel in Africa generally contributes to wildlife conservation, and with eco-friendly lodges and camps employing sustainable practices, it aims to have a lower environmental impact, compared to urban tourism.”
Andre argued that Africa’s landscape provides the “perfect backdrop” for a slower and more sustainable approach to travel, which offers “an enriching travelling experience that anyone looking to book a trip away from the crowds and into the less frequented can enjoy”.
