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IN BRIEF
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The “right to tourism” is often put forward to justify the rise of international travel and the continuous growth of the tourism industry. However, this concept, while resonating with the ideal of universal access to discovery, faces numerous social, economic, and environmental obstacles. From the growing contestation related to the impacts of mass tourism to the redefinition of what it means to travel or rest, this article explores the reality and limits of this notion, which is now being questioned by the residents of many destinations, particularly in Southern Europe, such as Barcelona.
The concept of the right to tourism: emergence and ambiguities
The notion of right to tourism emerged with the encouragement of mobility and the democratization of travel, especially in Europe after World War II. Synonymous with social progress, this concept is based on the idea that everyone should be able to travel, discover other cultures, and enjoy leisure activities, regardless of their financial means or social situation.
However, the concrete translation of this “right” remains vague. Unlike other fundamental rights such as the right to housing or health, no international text explicitly enshrines tourism as a mandatory universal guarantee. There is indeed a global enthusiasm for tourism travel, but the sector is primarily governed by supply and demand laws, as well as economic and environmental considerations.
The counter-offensive of residents against mass tourism
As the summer season begins, numerous citizen movements are organizing across Southern Europe to denounce the harmful effects of overtourism. From Genoa to Mallorca, mobilization is gaining momentum, with Barcelona being the emblematic stage. Residents, fed up with the pressure of tourist influx, are protesting to defend their quality of life and fundamental rights such as access to housing and the preservation of public space – realities threatened by the massification of visits.
The example of the Barcelona mobilization is striking. Strong slogans and images – such as locals armed with water guns to express their frustration – testify to the growing discontent. Protesters highlight the social, environmental, and economic impacts of tourism that primarily enriches initial investors and increases inequalities, particularly in terms of wages: in Barcelona, a job in tourism is paid on average a quarter less than in other sectors.
Tourism, an economic engine… and a factor of inequalities
The tourism industry is often presented as an economic pillar, generating jobs and income for communities. However, this idyllic vision masks a more nuanced reality. While the sector accounts for a large share of employment, as demonstrated by the situation in Barcelona where it represents 13% of jobs, the quality of these jobs is frequently called into question: insecurity, low wages, and difficult working conditions prevail.
Moreover, far from benefiting the entire population, the money generated by tourism tends to remain in the hands of a few already prosperous actors. This fuels the feeling of social injustice among residents, especially since real estate speculation – largely encouraged by renting properties to tourists – exacerbates the housing crisis.
Between myths and limits of a model in crisis
The once-dominant narrative praising a tourism without negative effects – dubbed “smokeless factory” – is no longer appealing. Recent surveys indicate that one-third of Barcelona residents now consider tourism harmful, compared to only 7% in 2007. In the face of saturation, three-quarters of the population believe that the city has reached its maximum capacity to accommodate tourists.
In response, citizen and expert groups are calling for tourism degrowth: a set of radical measures such as the closure of cruise terminals, the prohibition of any new tourist accommodation structures, or the reallocation of short-term rentals to the long-term housing market. They also call for an end to the active promotion of tourism by authorities.
The “right to tourism” facing new societal challenges
The debate over the right to tourism clashes with the need to rethink the vitality of territories and the resilience of their economies. Advocates of tourism degrowth remind us that while the right to holidays and rest is a social achievement, this does not necessarily translate into an absolute right to travel anywhere without restriction. This model, based on global hypermobility, is no longer compatible with contemporary ecological, social, and economic challenges.
The measures announced by some municipalities, such as the gradual prohibition of tourist rentals in Barcelona or the limitation of cruise terminal activities, represent initial steps. However, protesters believe that this remains very insufficient to reverse the trend.
Towards a redefinition of tourism and collective priorities
Questioning the right to tourism is accompanied by a call for a reduction of global mobilities. Proposals are emerging to promote local employment in essential sectors such as public services, energy transition, or industrial relocation, thus offering viable alternatives to the tourism mono-industry.
This shift also comes with a critical look at new international tourist markets, as seen in the controversial situation of Afghanistan, which is trying to attract visitors despite security challenges, or the major economic challenges faced in Asia, detailed in the state of the Thai tourism sector. The forest fires in the Mediterranean, which disrupt both climate and tourism activities, also highlight the limits of a model based on unlimited growth, as noted by the analysis on fires and tourism in the Mediterranean.
In the face of the multitude of emerging challenges, the right to tourism seems indeed, in some respects, to be a chimera: it is less of an undisputed fundamental right than a privilege to be regulated and rebalanced concerning the needs of host populations and the planet.
