Down to Business English

Over Tourism Issues in Spain and Japan

Aug 10, 2024

Skip Montreux, an expert on tourism's economic effects, and Samantha Vega, a commentator on over tourism solutions, discuss how cities like Barcelona and locations in Japan are grappling with overcrowding. They highlight Spain's projection of over 90 million visitors in 2024, leading to skyrocketing housing costs and local displacement. Barcelona plans to eliminate short-term rentals by 2029, while Valencia imposes strict regulations. Japan's tourism boom is prompting government efforts to distribute visitors regionally, relieving pressure on popular sites.

18:30

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Episode guests

Samantha Vega

Skip Montreux

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Spain's anticipated influx of over 90 million international visitors in 2024 is exacerbating housing costs and displacing residents in cities like Barcelona.

Japan is addressing over-tourism by promoting regional tourism and considering measures such as climbing fees for popular sites like Mount Fuji.

Deep dives

The Impact of Over-tourism in Spain

Spain is facing a significant increase in tourism, with projections of over 90 million international visitors expected in 2024. This surge has led to major challenges in popular cities like Barcelona and Madrid, particularly escalating housing costs that displace local residents. In response, authorities in cities such as Barcelona are implementing regulations to remove short-term rental accommodations by 2029, aiming to alleviate the pressures on the housing market. Valencia is also introducing measures to constrain tourist rentals, requiring operators to meet hotel-like standards and increasing fines for illegal rentals, highlighting the balancing act between tourism and residents' needs.

Intro

2min

Tackling Over-Tourism: Strategies from Spain and Japan

7min

Balancing Costs and Ethics in Business

5min

The Impact of Over Tourism on Local Experiences

2min

Understanding Membership Benefits and Vocabulary Preview

3min

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.

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