- Professor Claudio Milano warns Barcelona is becoming a “sacrifice zone.”
- Hypertouristic areas over-rely on tourism, impacting local communities.
- Cities like Venice and Dubrovnik face similar challenges.
Barcelona is facing a significant challenge as it becomes increasingly dependent on tourism, with Professor Claudio Milano from the University of Barcelona describing it as a “sacrifice zone.”
Milano emphasized that while tourism brings economic benefits, the over-reliance can have adverse effects on the local population.
Barcelona’s Tourism Dependency: A Growing Concern
The issue of tourism dependency in Barcelona has reached critical levels, with Professor Claudio Milano warning that the city is turning into a “sacrifice zone.” Speaking on the Australian Nightlife podcast, Milano highlighted that hypertouristic areas are increasingly dependent on tourism, often to the detriment of local communities. This shift can lead to significant disruptions in the daily lives of residents.
Milano pointed out that Barcelona, along with other popular destinations like Venice and Dubrovnik, is experiencing an over-reliance on tourism. This dependency creates a fragile economic environment, where the local economy and community suffer if tourism declines. The focus on catering to tourists can overshadow the needs of the local population, impacting their quality of life.
In these hypertouristic areas, the infrastructure and services are often tailored more towards visitors than residents. This can lead to a variety of problems, including increased living costs, overcrowding, and a loss of local culture and identity. The term “sacrifice zone” underscores the extent to which local communities are bearing the brunt of tourism-driven changes.
Efforts to manage and balance tourism with the needs of residents are essential for the long-term sustainability of these cities. Policymakers and stakeholders must work together to create strategies that support both economic growth and the well-being of local communities. Without such measures, the negative impacts of over-reliance on tourism could become increasingly pronounced.
To ensure the long-term health of cities like Barcelona, it is crucial to find a balance between tourism and the needs of local communities. Sustainable tourism practices and policies that prioritize residents’ well-being are essential to avoid turning these vibrant cities into “sacrifice zones.”
“We use a lot the concept of ‘sacrifice zone’. It seems that in our contemporary society, those hypertouristic areas/neighbourhoods
