If you’re wondering why some Europeans are adopting an anti-tourists attitude and urging their leaders to introduce visitor limits during the peak summer travel period, this might be it…
When they say tourists are “swarming” their cities, they’re actually being literal, especially in places such as Paris, Milan and Barcelona where temporary visitors outnumber the locals.
We’re not saying an anti-tourist attitude is the right path to take, but can you imagine living in a city where more people are lining up to get a photo next to a statue every year than those lining up to board public transport en-route to work?
According to On The Go Tours, the majority of cities that pull in the most visitors compared to the native population are found in Europe (60 percent), followed by Asia (30 percent) and the Middle East (10 percent).
So if you’re looking to ‘travel like a local’ you might find it difficult to find one in cities such as…
Paris, France
This ‘city of love’, known for its gastronomic greatness, iconic skyline and cultural lineage, attracts over 18 million visitors per year, so with a relatively small population of 2.2 million, the city’s population grows by 704 percent throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
A cosmopolitan melting point, this city is a magnet in Asia for visitors, attracting 12 million over the course of year, increasing the 1.7 million population by 595 percent.
Dubai, UAE
This land of luxe where bigger and flashier is better, is home to the world’s tallest building, largest man-made lagoon and a 7 star hotel. It is a top holiday destination and popular pit stop on long haul journeys, pulling in 15.3 million visitors a year, which is an increase of 459 percent from the population of 2.7 million.
Milan, Italy
A favourite with serious shopaholics, this global capital of fashion and design jumps from 1.4 million to 7.7 million people over the year, increasing by 459 percent. It is also an epicenter for football, as is home to two of Italy’s strongest football teams and largest stadium so scores a large influx of sporting fans in the football season.
Barcelona, Spain
Famous for its striking Gaudi architecture and lively seaside summer scene, Barcelona flourishes in warmer months, which plays a huge part in the 411 percent population increase from 1.6 million to 8.2 million people.
Prague, Czech Republic
Image: Patrick Beznoska/Unsplash
‘The City of Hundred Spires’ is a hotspot on the European culture trail, with the 2.3 million residents increasing in number by 361 percent to over 5.8 million throughout the year, meaning for every 1 local there are almost 3 visitors.
Vienna, Austria
Image: Alisa Anton/Unsplash
An architectural masterpiece, Vienna is also the birthplace of ‘masterpiece makers’ such as Mozart and Klimt, making music and part of the city’s DNA and a huge drawcard for visitors. It is also home to the famous Sacher hotel and Sacher-Torte, a delicious chocolate cake which no doubt helps to pull in the crowds and increase the population by 30 5percent from 1.6 million to 8.7 million across the year.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
This picturesque destination is a favourite with all generations as packs a heavy cultural and artistic punch with highlights such as the house of Anne Frank and the Museum District, but is also known for its creative subaltern culture. The universal appeal of Amsterdam explains why its resident population of 2.3 million grows by 243 percent to 8 million across the year.
Taipei, Taiwan
A modern metropolis, Taipei is a flourishing business and tourism hub which attracts visitors from all corners of the globe. This cultural kaleidoscope is also a gateway to the rest of Taiwan, dubbed by the Portuguese as Formosa Insla (beautiful Island), which explains why the is vibrant city experiences a population increase of 163 percent from 2.7 million to 7 million across the year.
Osaka, Japan
Japan’s second largest city when it comes to population size and having played ‘stand in capital’ many times, Osaka attracts over 4.3 million visitors a year. With a huge commercial center it attracts a large influx of domestic and international business travellers, and with iconic attractions such as Osaka Castle it is a well-trodden spot on the Japanese tourist trail.
Check out the info-graphic below:
