Astute and well-observed, as ever. One thing I noticed in Córdoba (and will probably notice in Sevilla, perhaps amped up to eleven) is the omnipresence of too-large walking tour groups literally everywhere in the historic centre. Ironically they make life so much harder for solo travellers like me - trying to get into and appreciate the sinagoga was awful because there were three groups, all with their guides yapping. But it’s the way they work off the idea of cities as things to be *consumed*, as quickly as possible, that really grates. (I say this as a one-time Parisian and a regular return visitor…)
Thanks Laura! Last time I was in Córdoba (Feb 2024) the historic centre what jammed with groups of tourists, even more noticeable there I think because it’s a smaller area. Mass tourism really is like a parasite consuming its host and not thinking about what happens once its dead.
Visitors to Spain 🇪🇸, or anywhere, will be rewarded many times over by showing respect and an appreciation for the culture and architecture that has taken so long to create.
So glad you’ve said this and the manner in which you have.
Thank you Andrew. Hard hitting? You can't imagine how many times I edited and toned down this fucker so as to make it easier to swallow... glad to know I hit the mark. Because it's true, we love having visitors here but... you know... within reason and with mutual respect.
Loved, loved this. When the lockdown began, I thought that over-reliance on tourism put Spain in a very vulnerable position. Post lockdown, I was dismayed to see that Spain’s over-reliance on tourism was even stronger. This is not sustainable. It is ruining our communities, our economy (long term), our historic heritage is getting watered down, our natural environment… and what we get is just temporary, precarious work
Excellent question Ian, and I have previously tried to find this out but the Hotel Association tells me such a list doesn't exist. I may have to start researching myself. Also for apartments properly run by individuals who meet people when they arrive, etc. Thanks for the reminder.
This is a brilliant piece. I am from Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies and so much of this hit home, from the misnomers about anti-tourism to the perilous economic dependency to the loss of local identity subsumed by a contrived tourist fallacy to neighbourhoods being paved with tourist accommodation.
Thanks Liam. And yes, unfortunately this has become a global problem. It’s hard feeling so helpless, like watching someone you love slowing dying and there is nothing you can do about it.
Great article - should be required reading for all school graduates...next up? Please write about what you think the Sevilla City Council could do to improve the situation. Charge a tourist tax? Cap new Air BnB licenses? Shut down illegal rentals etc?
Unfortunately our City Council is not concerned about its citizens. The hotel association doesn’t want a tourist tax (says it would harm business) and anyhow, there would be no guarantee that money would be used in a way that would benefit us.
And AirBnB is only a part of the problem, but the politicians make a lot of noise about it, saying they are going to stop issuing new licenses and shut down illegal rentals (all lies). Meanwhile residents are being evicted so that entire buildings can be turned into either hotels or tourist apartment blocks.
Personally I think everyone should stop travelling abroad for a year, but of course that’s never going to happen. But imagine if we all went “on strike” and governments were forced to invest in other industries. cue John Lennon
Great analysis of the problem, and totally agree with what you’re saying, but what’s the solution? I mean……12.5% of GDP…..?
As entire industries relocate to low cost China and factories close down, where else are these - largely semi-skilled - people going to work, other than in hospitality?
Sadly there is no solution as long as we continue living the way we do. But it’s like we can all see the iceberg looming but nobody wants to stop eating or listening to the band.
Astute and well-observed, as ever. One thing I noticed in Córdoba (and will probably notice in Sevilla, perhaps amped up to eleven) is the omnipresence of too-large walking tour groups literally everywhere in the historic centre. Ironically they make life so much harder for solo travellers like me - trying to get into and appreciate the sinagoga was awful because there were three groups, all with their guides yapping. But it’s the way they work off the idea of cities as things to be *consumed*, as quickly as possible, that really grates. (I say this as a one-time Parisian and a regular return visitor…)
Thanks Laura! Last time I was in Córdoba (Feb 2024) the historic centre what jammed with groups of tourists, even more noticeable there I think because it’s a smaller area. Mass tourism really is like a parasite consuming its host and not thinking about what happens once its dead.
Wonderful article.
Hard-hitting but it needs to be.
Visitors to Spain 🇪🇸, or anywhere, will be rewarded many times over by showing respect and an appreciation for the culture and architecture that has taken so long to create.
So glad you’ve said this and the manner in which you have.
Thank you Andrew. Hard hitting? You can't imagine how many times I edited and toned down this fucker so as to make it easier to swallow... glad to know I hit the mark. Because it's true, we love having visitors here but... you know... within reason and with mutual respect.
La manera está perfectamente
It’s a tricky situation.
Extremely.
Loved, loved this. When the lockdown began, I thought that over-reliance on tourism put Spain in a very vulnerable position. Post lockdown, I was dismayed to see that Spain’s over-reliance on tourism was even stronger. This is not sustainable. It is ruining our communities, our economy (long term), our historic heritage is getting watered down, our natural environment… and what we get is just temporary, precarious work
Exactly. The world has gone mad, as if it’s trying to squeeze out every last bit of what’s left before it’s gone forever.
Do you have any resources/links for characterful, independent, family-run, non-chain hotels in central Sevilla? (For autumn period.)
Excellent question Ian, and I have previously tried to find this out but the Hotel Association tells me such a list doesn't exist. I may have to start researching myself. Also for apartments properly run by individuals who meet people when they arrive, etc. Thanks for the reminder.
This is a brilliant piece. I am from Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies and so much of this hit home, from the misnomers about anti-tourism to the perilous economic dependency to the loss of local identity subsumed by a contrived tourist fallacy to neighbourhoods being paved with tourist accommodation.
Thanks Liam. And yes, unfortunately this has become a global problem. It’s hard feeling so helpless, like watching someone you love slowing dying and there is nothing you can do about it.
Great article - should be required reading for all school graduates...next up? Please write about what you think the Sevilla City Council could do to improve the situation. Charge a tourist tax? Cap new Air BnB licenses? Shut down illegal rentals etc?
Unfortunately our City Council is not concerned about its citizens. The hotel association doesn’t want a tourist tax (says it would harm business) and anyhow, there would be no guarantee that money would be used in a way that would benefit us.
And AirBnB is only a part of the problem, but the politicians make a lot of noise about it, saying they are going to stop issuing new licenses and shut down illegal rentals (all lies). Meanwhile residents are being evicted so that entire buildings can be turned into either hotels or tourist apartment blocks.
Personally I think everyone should stop travelling abroad for a year, but of course that’s never going to happen. But imagine if we all went “on strike” and governments were forced to invest in other industries. cue John Lennon
Great analysis of the problem, and totally agree with what you’re saying, but what’s the solution? I mean……12.5% of GDP…..?
As entire industries relocate to low cost China and factories close down, where else are these - largely semi-skilled - people going to work, other than in hospitality?
Thanks again,
LF
An awful lot of very highly qualified people end up working in hospitality on pitiful wages just because that’s all that’s available where they live
This is very true Claire; I know several of them myself.
On the positive side, it’s one of the few areas of employment not immediately threatened by AI.
Yes, sadly this is very true.
The ship’s going down, and it’s far too late to advertise for a new captain.
Sadly there is no solution as long as we continue living the way we do. But it’s like we can all see the iceberg looming but nobody wants to stop eating or listening to the band.