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Spain named Europe's least tourism-friendly country in new study
Research suggests residents in Spain are more concerned about the impact of overtourism than those in any other European country
Spain has been ranked as the European country where opposition to mass tourism is strongest, according to a new study examining attitudes towards visitors across the continent.
The research, carried out by platform JB.com, places Spain at the top of its ranking of countries showing the highest levels of anti-tourism sentiment, ahead of Italy and France.
The findings come at a time when tourism continues to grow across Europe, particularly in popular Mediterranean destinations that attract millions of visitors every year. While tourism remains a major source of income and employment, concerns about overcrowding, rising housing costs and pressure on local services have led to growing frustration in some areas.
According to the study, Spain received the highest score in the ranking, with Italy only slightly behind. France was placed third, although with a considerably lower score than the two countries at the top of the list.
The report suggests that some of Europe's most visited holiday destinations are also the places where residents are most likely to express concerns about the impact of tourism on daily life.
Greece and Portugal also featured prominently in the ranking, reflecting similar debates taking place in many popular tourist regions around the Mediterranean.
In Spain, concerns over overtourism have become increasingly visible in recent years, particularly in destinations that experience huge seasonal visitor numbers. Demonstrations calling for measures to manage tourism growth have taken place in several cities and holiday hotspots, with residents raising concerns about housing availability, rental prices and pressure on infrastructure.
The study's authors argue that continued growth in visitor numbers could intensify these concerns unless local authorities find ways to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the needs of residents.
Further down the ranking, countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Croatia and Austria were found to have lower levels of opposition to tourism.
The Czech Republic, Malta, Denmark and Ireland were among the countries where attitudes towards visitors were generally more positive.
At the other end of the scale, Cyprus was identified as the most welcoming country in the study. The island nation received the lowest anti-tourism score, reflecting strong support for an industry that remains one of the country's most important economic sectors.
Belgium and Hungary also ranked among the countries showing the most favourable attitudes towards international visitors.
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