Over tourism is becoming a significant issue in popular destinations worldwide, with cities like Barcelona and countries like Japan struggling to balance economic benefits with the challenges of an increasing number of visitors.
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega explore the impact of over tourism in Spain and Japan. They discuss how the surge in tourism is driving up living costs, displacing local residents, and prompting government interventions. The episode focuses on the measures being taken in Spanish cities like Barcelona and Valencia, as well as Japan’s efforts to manage overcrowding in famous tourist spots such as Mt. Fuji.
Listeners looking to enhance their business English, Skip and Samantha's conversation is a great learning resource. Key points include:
- Spain anticipates over 90 million international visitors in 2024, causing significant increases in housing costs and local displacement.
- Barcelona is set to phase out all short-term rental accommodations by 2029 to address the housing crisis.
- Valencia is tightening regulations on short-term rentals and imposing heavy fines for illegal rentals.
- Japan's record tourism numbers, spurred by a weak yen, are leading to overcrowding in key tourist destinations.
- The Japanese government is encouraging regional tourism to ease the burden on popular attractions.
