The study examined 30 countries worldwide, using a range of indicators such as the scale of anti-tourism protests, media coverage of the issue, tourist taxes and the ratio of visitors to local population.

Spain, Italy and France were identified as the countries experiencing the strongest backlash against mass tourism, while Portugal emerged in fifth place among the destinations perceived as most hostile towards visitors.

Tourism growth

These findings come at a time when Europe’s most popular holiday destinations continue to record robust growth in visitor numbers.

The country that topped the ranking for anti-tourism sentiment reported a 3.4 percent increase in tourist arrivals during the first four months of 2026, with the Spanish Ministry of Tourism forecasting a 7.1 percent rise in international airline passengers arriving during June compared to the same month last year.

According to forecasts cited by the Spanish tourism authorities, Italy could experience a 12 percent rise in international arrivals this month, while France is projected to record a growth of 2.6 percent compared with June 2025.

Although tourism remains a vital source of income for many European economies, the steady increase in visitor numbers has fuelled growing concern among local communities about its social and economic impact.

Portugal placed fifth in the study’s ranking, registering a tourism hostility score of 66 percent.

The country sits behind Spain, Italy, France and Greece, reflecting mounting criticism over issues such as housing affordability, rising living costs and the strain placed on popular urban centres and coastal regions by growing visitor numbers.

At the opposite end of the scale, Cyprus and Albania were identified as the most welcoming destinations, as neither country has experienced documented anti-tourism protests, and both maintain relatively limited restrictions or additional charges for visitors.

Leading protest demonstrations

Spain continues to represent the most prominent example of resistance to mass tourism in Europe.

Researchers found evidence of anti-tourism demonstrations in more than 40 Spanish cities, including main destinations such as Barcelona and the Canary Islands.

Home to Barcelona, Catalonia welcomed approximately 20.1 million tourists in 2025, an increase of 0.6 percent on the previous year, while the Balearic and Canary islands remained among the country’s most visited regions.

Last summer, thousands of demonstrators marched through central Barcelona carrying banners declaring that tourism was damaging the city, attracting international attention by using water pistols to spray visitors in heavily crowded areas as a symbolic protest.

Italy has also witnessed a rise in opposition to mass tourism, as demonstrations have taken place in cities including Venice, Rome, Florence, Naples and Milan.

The study found that in some instances, activists targeted lockboxes used by short-term rental operators, arguing that the rapid growth of holiday accommodation was reducing the availability of homes for locals.

Venice has responded by reintroducing its day-tripper access charge for selected dates between April and July, which applies mainly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, a measure designed to manage visitor numbers and reduce overcrowding.

Protests in Marseille, Nice and Paris, alongside growing opposition to cruise tourism in several coastal destinations, highlight similar challenges in France.

Housing crisis

According to the report, housing concerns remain the central factor behind rising discontent across Europe.

Many residents believe that the expansion of short-term holiday rentals and the growing demand generated by tourism are contributing to a shortage of affordable housing and pushing up prices in major cities and popular destinations.

As visitor numbers continue to climb, policymakers across Europe are increasingly being forced to balance the substantial economic benefits generated by tourism against the need to protect local communities and maintain residents’ quality of life.

The study suggests that this debate is no longer confined to a handful of tourist hotspots but has become a broader European challenge, with Portugal now among the countries where public frustration towards tourism is most pronounced.