British vacationers appear to be rethinking their travel plans for 2025, raising concerns over the overtourism protests that have spurred a major change in European favorite destinations. The Balearic Islands and Venice Barcelona are currently reluctant to visit because Brits are reluctant to visit, according to a new study provided to Express from travel insurance companies.
The survey shows that 68% of UK adults are currently considering alternative holiday spots to avoid working on overtourism or increasing local opposition. So two-thirds are considering new holiday hotspots for 2025.
In a recent survey, 53% of people also said they were hesitant to visit many of their favourite holiday hotspots following local protests over the negative impacts of tourism.
Among those expressing concern, surveys show that the top five holiday destinations in 2025 will be hesitant to visit in 2025.
Barcelona is leading the list, with 45% of respondents reluctant to visit. The city is seeing continued protests against mass tourism, with locals protesting overcrowding, rising rents due to holiday rentals and environmental damage to historic areas.
Mallorca and Menorca continue at 35%. They are currently discussing new measures to regulate the number of visitors, and in May and July 2024, Mallorca and Menorca saw considerable public unrest as tens of thousands of residents went to the streets to protest overturism and its effects.
Venice is reluctant to visit 26% of the holidays next. Recently, the city had to implement measures including tourism tax for those visiting the History Center, which came into effect on April 18th.
Amsterdam is also listed, with 25% reluctant to travel. The Dutch capital has introduced measures to curb the number of tourists. In particular, they launched a “Stay Away” campaign in 2023 targeting party tourism and short-term rentals, targeting young men from the UK between 18 and 35 years old.
Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at Insureandgo, said: “Twelve months ago, our study suggests that the extreme heat and first-hand experience of holiday wildfires abroad forced some people to consider cool climates and alternative destinations for future holidays (44%).
“This new study suggests that protests could have a much greater impact on changing holiday thinking. Therefore, in some respects, economic sustainability issues have been proven to have an impact, at least shaping the choice of holiday makers, just like certain climate-related factors.
“In addition, if the protests result in people switching holiday destinations, the prospects for changes in European holiday maps will also have economic consequences for places where local economies rely on tourism.”
Britt will be hesitant to visit in 2025, according to people who have expressed concerns in the survey.
1. Barcelona 45%
2. Mallorca / Menorca 35%
3. Venice 26%
4. Amsterdam 25%
5. Marbella 25%
