Residents of European cities with high levels of tourism are at “breaking point” over visitor numbers, a leading columnist has warned.

Protests have been staged in Mallorca and Barcelona this summer against overtourism, where locals believe they are being priced out of accommodation by foreign visitors.

Residents of other European cities like Amsterdam, Venice, and Dubrovnik have also voiced concerns about the dangers of overtourism.

On Moncrieff today, Irish Independent columnist Frank Coughlan said “tension” against tourists is on the rise across Europe.

“There’s also an internal tension within the cities between those who are dependent on tourism and those who are not,” he said.

“Some people want to go about their business, buy a house, have clean water, but many services are stretched and it’s at breaking point.

“That’s because too many tourists come quite often in a high season period that is too short.”

Are we welcome?

Mr Coughlan said it might be time for Irish people to reconsider their summer getaway plans.

“If you have traditionally gone to these places, it might be time now to ask if you’re even welcome anymore,” he said.

“If you’re not welcome, why would you want to go there?

“Holidays are for relaxing, and the last thing you want is to get really stressed because protestors are squirting water at you or because there’s graffiti telling you to go home.

“You can understand people in places like Rome, Florence, and Barcelona just getting fed up with it all.”

Protestors hold up an anti-tourism sign in Barcelona. Image: SOPA Images Limited / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Coughlan said Ireland is not immune to the annoyances of tourism.

“It can be a nightmare to even get through the campus of Trinity College at times,” he said.

“There are restrictions at Newgrange because they’re worried it might become damaged; they’re also very worried about Skellig Michael.

“Only last week in County Clare, they’re trying to bring in a traffic management plan for the Cliffs of Moher because of the delays caused by tourists.

“It’s no fun if you’re trying to pick your kids up from school around there or get home for your dinner.”

Alternative destinations

Mr Coughlan said there are plenty of European destinations to enjoy that are off the beaten track.

“There is Bilbao, Bologna, beautiful cities with great histories that don’t hit that kind of madness at any particular time,” he said.

“I was in Venice one time in August, and it was a bloody nightmare.

“But there are places to go if you're a bit more adventurous and you have the ability to adapt your dates; that could be the way forward for people.”

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Main image: Anti-tourism sticker in Barcelona during a protest. Image: Sipa USA / Alamy Stock Photo