Over-tourism, Short-Term Rentals and the Crowding-Out of Local Populations – Finding the Right Balance

Key points

The EESC:

• stresses that tourism is a strategic ecosystem for the EU—driving growth, jobs and social development—and calls for a shift towards a more sustainable, balanced and competitive model that safeguards the quality of life of local communities; 

• warns about the growing pressures of over-tourism and short-term rentals in certain destinations, and calls for coordinated EU action to support Member States in developing evidence-based, proportionate and place-based solutions; 

• proposes EU-supported tools and strategies to better manage tourism flows, including digital monitoring systems, diversification of destinations and seasons, and stronger links between tourism and local economies, culture and traditional crafts; 

• advocates for innovative governance and financing models—combining public and private investment—to support sustainable tourism, affordable housing and local business ecosystems, with a strong role for SMEs and local communities; 

• recommends strengthening skills, training and youth involvement, and calls for the creation of a European Centre for Traditional Crafts and Heritage Professions to support local economies and cultural sustainability across the EU.

For more information, please contact INT secretariat