SINTRA – Martinho de Almada Pimentel’s house, built in 1914 as a retreat for privacy, is now shrouded in chaos due to the summer of “overtourism.”

With visitors flocking to Cintra in droves, Pimentel finds himself more isolated than during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Traffic jams, pollution, and hoards of tourists have turned his serene abode into a battleground of frustration and angst.

This is the story of 2024, a year anticipated to break tourism records worldwide post the pandemic. The surge in travel, fueled by revenge trips, digital nomad campaigns, and golden visas, has escalated the issue of overtourism around the globe.

Cue the violins, you might grouse, for people like Pimentel who are well-off enough to live in places worth visiting. But it’s more than a problem for rich people.

“Not to be able to get an ambulance or to not be able to get my groceries is a rich people problem?” said Matthew Bedell, another resident of Sintra.

What is Overtourism?

The term “overtourism” describes the tipping point where visitors become a burden on residents by overwhelming infrastructure, degrading historical sites, and disrupting local life.

Visitor Experience vs. Being Visited

Virpi Makela shares the struggles at her bed-and-breakfast in Sintra, highlighting the challenges faced by both residents and guests due to inadequate management of the tourism boom.

Stay tuned for more updates on the battle against overtourism and its impact on global travel.

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