The anti-tourist drive that’s taking hold across Europe has now spread to Greece.
In Athens graffiti is scrawled across buildings demanding “Tourists Go Home!” and “Burn Airbnb”.
It’s in response to locals believing that tourism is changing their way of life for the worse – causing traffic chaos, environmental harm as plastics fill the seas and poor living conditions as natives are forced out of properties that have soared in price.
Last month protesters took to the streets of the Greek capital to let the world know that they are furious at the amount of tourists invading their city.
The backlash against tourists now includes more graffiti disparaging foreigners after the protests to « mourn the death » of neighbourhoods as well as vandalism and arson.
The calls come as holiday destinations across Europe including mainland Spain, The Canaries and the Balearics residents have pleaded for crack downs on what they say is over tourism. In Tenerife thousands protested for the cause.
One extreme example shows a large building depicting two Airbnb towers ablaze. Beneath the caption reads “Tourists Enjoy Your Stay In The Cemetery Of Europe,” reports MailOnline.
“No Tourists No Hipsters” and “Burn Airbnb” read others on the streets.
Athens – which is home to iconic landmarks such as the Acropolis – is becoming increasingly swamped with British holidaymakers.
At one rally in April protestors chanted: « They are taking our houses while they live in the Maldives ».
Around 6.4 million tourists visit Athens every year, many travelling to see the Acropolis.
Greece relies heavily on tourism to prop up its economy. Tourism accounted for almost one-fifth of the nation’s GDP in 2022.
But pressure on housing because of tourism is causing problems for those living there.
More than 40 percent of disposable income in Greece is spent on housing – more than in any other European country. And an astonishing seven in ten Greeks under the age of 34 still live with their parents. Short-term holiday rentals have surged by 500 percent in less than a decade.
Anna Theodorakis told France24 that she was forced out of the Metaxourgio in Athens.
She said: « I think the answer is to go in the streets and block everything and just not do something because people are losing their homes. It is very depressing. »
Ms Theodorakis said that the number of Airbnbs was « wiping out the traditional places » and complained that she felt like « a foreigner in my own country ».
Source link