'Is it even possible to enjoy a trip without contributing to the problem?'

Tourists sit at a cafe while anti-tourism protesters march in Lisbon, Portugal, on June 15, 2025

(Image credit: Horacio Villalobos / Corbis via Getty Images)

published 18 June 2025

'As anti-tourism protests grow in Europe, we need a rethink — but that's no reason to stop traveling'

Leah Pattem at The Guardian

After "coordinated protests across Europe last weekend, it's easy for the ethically conscious tourist to feel uncertain," says Leah Pattem. Does that "mean a golden age of tourism is over? No." Does the "complicated relationship between those who want to visit the world's most interesting places and those who live in them need a reset? Probably." This is "not just a story of tourists replacing local people; it's one of policy failure and economic imbalance."

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Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.