Touristophobia: Discover The Venice Syndrome

The term “touristophobia” refers to fear and social rejection on the part of locals towards tourists who visit their city. Nevertheless, there is no empirical basis in the psychological literature supporting this type of phobia of tourists, as psychologist Sergio Garcia Soriano asserts.

Certainly, this phobia does not exist. This does not mean, however, that there is no negative reaction from the residents of a place to the massive influx of tourists. Especially, if the latter adopt disproportionate behavior and cause scandals in public. It is however true that not all tourists are like this.

Some of the pernicious consequences of living in cities teeming with tourists include the following:

• inability to sleep at night,
• exorbitant rents,
• the replacement of local crafts by assembly-line production.

The inhabitants concerned tend to leave their city. Those who stay there do so because tourism is their daily bread. In fact, Orozo Alvarado and Quintero Santos (2008) assert that, in several destinations, there is a process of colonization due to tourism, a process that can cause several socio-cultural impacts. Let’s dig deeper.

Why does touristophobia only exist in certain places?

There are massive destinations such as the Canary Islands, the Dominican Republic or Peru which, despite the large volume of tourists they welcome, have not experienced this phenomenon.

It is undoubtedly because these places are turned towards tourism and that the inhabitants are attached to this dimension of the country. However, tourism has not had any negative consequences in these places.

A rebellion against the tourist

We hear more and more information about the way in which certain cities are rebelling against the massive influx of tourists.

Barcelona, ​​Rome, Palma de Mallorca, Venice, Berlin, Toronto, New Orleans and some Asian cities have voiced their rejection of the occupation of their places of residence on social networks .

Tourism is a millionaire industry. Nevertheless, tourist massification can sometimes create cohabitation problems, cause housing prices to rise and destroy the local entrepreneurial fabric.

Changes in the local culture

Handicrafts can be replaced by a low-cost product manufactured in bulk with the aim of selling to offer more attractive prices to tourists. We thus lose the rootedness of heritage and cultural tradition.

In order to satisfy mass tourism, imitation articles are produced and marketed  at low prices without the intervention of the craft industry. The big Asian factories are the people in charge and the beneficiaries of their manufacturing.

The actions of the inhabitants in the face of touristophobia

Graffiti of protest, demonstrations and protests on social networks aim to raise awareness that the problem of tourist massification is everyone’s business.

Residents also emphasize that neighborhoods and cities are emptying due to the increase in tourist accommodation, second apartments and low- cost hotels .

While some stores rub their hands,  others are forced to close their doors  : housing tourists has become a double-edged sword.

More and more landlords are renting their apartments to tourists for maximum profit. Thus, what the tenant pays in a month’s rent, the tourist pays in a week of stay.

Finding accommodation is mission impossible

Finding accommodation, whether to buy or to rent, has become very complicated when the area in question is full of tourists.

This circumstance leads to the transformation of the historic centers of the main cities. In fact, if we walk around the main tourist places, we will quickly discover that the shops that were established on the street are closed. They are replaced by others intended for tourism.

Environmental impact

Among the most negative environmental impacts that we have to face in order to slow down the deterioration of these attractive destinations are the following:

• saturation of infrastructure and public services to ensure urban growth,
• architecture incapable of integrating into the landscape ,
• acoustic, atmospheric and residual contamination.

Touristophobia in the face of tourism quotas

Tourism is the main way of life in many cities and capitals around the world. For these cities to meet their economic needs, the arrival of millions of tourists is inevitable. The latter spend their money in bars, shops, museums, accommodation or transport.

It is important to realize that not everything is equal. So, regulating tourist rates doesn’t make sense. It becomes necessary to establish  a ceiling for visitor places.

It does not mean destroying tourism. It is about improving cohabitation, putting an end to rent speculation and promoting a responsible, sustainable and balanced model.

If we manage to apply this principle in the medium term, we will be able to continue to enjoy our dream destinations while avoiding the progression of this phenomenon !

Our thoughts

Wanderlust syndrome is a term that refers to the obsession some people have with traveling. A desire born of a “need”, uninhabit …