Your European Summer, Our Misery

Written By Minami Salas

Do you prefer your summer brunch with a bucket of water over your head or a side of cries from protestors to leave their country? The lucky tourists of Barcelona had the pleasure of receiving both when locals decided they needed an extra welcome to their perfect summer getaway.  This nightmarish scenario is a reality across Europe, as anti-tourism groups hit headlines all over the continent.  As the “European summer” propaganda has reached its peak for the upcoming season, the anger and resentment towards visiting tourists has made its appearance once again. 

Where does the hate for tourists originate from?

Many people prefer not to be met by a sea of zombies (or tourists) when walking out of their apartment. Traveling to different countries is similar to entering a world that is not connected to your own. It's a fresh start, a near-perfect paradise, where none of your problems seem to follow you. You get so caught up in the moment that the faces of the people starving and struggling on the streets fade into the backdrop of the stunning European architecture.  In Amsterdam, the Red Light District has become a tourist attraction where you can buy a private tour with a local guide to ensure that you receive the best experience. Many visitors are unaware or even ignorant of the fact that their sightseeing trip actually hides a secret world of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. This example of the harmful ignorance and desensitization to the issues within each popular European destination is what creates the negative stigma around tourists. 

Tourists seem to forget their “escape” is someone’s permanent reality.  Popular American landmarks or tourist spots can have the same amount of meaning to an American as their suburban neighborhood or shopping mall.  Take, for example, Europe’s infamous cathedrals and historical holy sites that draw countless visitors, but often become so crowded that regular worshippers struggle to find a place to pray.  To outsiders it is merely a beautiful sight to see, but to others, the place can hold so much meaning and purpose. The narrow alleyways and streets of Venice during peak season transform a local’s walk to work into the morning of Black Friday in 2015. The takeover of tourists can disrupt daily routines and cherished spaces, causing residents to feel like strangers within their own city.  

A Muslim worshipper, center, prays out of the praying time as tourists visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque Istanbul, Turkey.

While Trump’s policies have caused inflation within the United States, overtourism causes the inflation of prices in Europe. A surge in tourism drives up demand for travel resources such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation. This causes an overall inflation that also affects simple necessities like groceries and clothes. Going on a vacation and splurging on expensive items might not seem horrible, considering the fact that your visit will only last a week. However, for the locals, it is their reality for the rest of their lives. There is a constant struggle to meet the needs of both tourists and locals, but in most cases, the solution delivered by the government favors the group that generates the most revenue for the country. 

The social taboo of being a tourist has reached American audiences. “Underground”  recommendations from locals are becoming a popular Google search for those traveling. Anthony Bourdain is a celebrated icon in the travel world. His motto “Be a traveler, not a tourist” encourages us to hold respect for the local residents and the pieces of their home. According to his philosophy, while a tourist enters new environments with a closed mind, a traveler is comfortable with being uncomfortable, embracing and immersing themselves in a new and unfamiliar culture. Treasure the spots and places that are cherished so heavily in the hearts of the city’s locals. Instead of expecting places to entertain you, listen and observe. Take time to watch how people live, and recognize that they are also people living their lives instead of mere extras in your romanticized movie. Bourdain stepped into the new, unfamiliar world with humility and gained memories that forever impacted his life. Screw your Pinterest bucket list and instead be comfortable with seeing where the new destination takes you. At the end of the day, everyone is going to be a tourist once in their lives. Everyone wants to travel the world, visit new sights, and indulge in different cultures. It is a natural desire to explore and escape the confines of our regular lives. In the end, the difference depends on what kind of tourist you strive to be. 

“I’ll live, and we’ll survive”, were the last words that Anthony Bourdain sent to his former assistant. In a world where the freedom of its inhabitants seems to be stripped from us day by day, it is so easy to lose hope. We have more in common with people on the other side of the world, than we think. Through the stories and experiences that we share, we can be reminded of how humanity has survived and flourished all this time. Sharing a cigarette with a random group of people outside a bar or connecting through a few exchanged words despite not speaking the same language are examples of pure human connection that we should always seek to find. They remind us that beyond borders and oceans, there is a universal desire to relate, understand, and belong. By embracing the humanity of each other, it reminds us why we continue to fight on against all odds. Explore the world and embrace the tourist within you that truly desires to live a life filled with courage, resilience, and love. 

Minami Salas
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