There is something profoundly sad for those who live in small towns: watching the tranquility that defines their lives evaporate when their home “becomes trendy”. It all starts with a viral photo on social media, a TV report or, worse, a visit from an influencer that turns it into the new “place you can’t miss.” The result? An invasion that forever changes the lives of those who were looking for peace and connection with nature in that corner.
Ask the residents of Sant Llorenç de la Muga or Tor, places that have gone from being quiet hideaways to being in the eye of the hurricane thanks to overexposure in series and media. They know what it means to lose the essence of a village. And it is not a question of being “anti-tourism” or of being closed to progress. On the contrary: I live in rural tourism and I understand its value, but I also know what it means when it becomes an uncontrolled fashion.
The dark side of excessive tourism
Small towns have a unique charm: their calm, their closeness, their leisurely pace. But when tourists arrive en masse, that essence disappears. Let me tell you what it looks like from the inside:
1. Weekend chaos
Imagine it is Sunday. The villagers, who have been working all week, want to enjoy a day of rest. But instead of calm, what they find is noise, cars blocking their doors, and garbage piling up in every corner.
Many tourists treat the towns as if they were an extension of the city. They park wherever they want, without thinking that they are invading a small and limited space where there are no police or strict traffic regulations. In the end, the village ends up full of cans, papers and wrappers, completely breaking the harmony of the place.
This is not an isolated case. A friend of mine lives in a beautiful village, surrounded by mountains and rivers. During the week, he enjoys absolute peace. But when the weekend comes, life in the village turns into a nightmare. Traffic floods the narrow streets, the bars are crowded, and the neighbors count the hours until Monday returns. Can you imagine living like this every week?
2. Real estate speculation: empty houses and impossible prices.
Another serious problem is the impact on housing. In the past, in many of these small towns, it was easy to find small houses to rent or renovate. Today, that is almost impossible. The houses have been acquired for tourist rentals or as second homes, and are no longer available to local families.
This has devastating consequences:
- Young families cannot stay. The children of those who have been in town for decades want to stay, but they have no choice. There is no housing available, and the few that are available have exorbitant prices. What cost 50,000 euros a few years ago now exceeds 400,000.
- The community empties. Many of the new owners do not even live in the town. They only rent their homes on weekends or in the summer, leaving streets empty and closed for much of the year. The result is a ghost community with no local life.
Villages are becoming pretty postcards, perfect for Instagram, but void of the authenticity and people that gave them their true value.
3. Attraction to the morbid or the extraordinary
Here comes the paradox: many times, what attracts tourists has nothing to do with the essence of the town, but with stories that contribute little to the community. And here I say it clearly: I would not mind if a triple murder had been committed in my town years ago and the house was full of visitors attracted by that. Let’s be clear, I am not talking about justifying such a terrible event, but I am talking about how, in practice, that kind of thing is not the real problem.
The problem is not curiosity or interest. After all, any town has its own history, its own mysteries, or even legends that give it its identity. What really hurts is that all this attention ends up exploiting the place, filling it with tourists who do not respect neither the space nor the people who live there. What is the point of having the streets full if in the end the neighbors cannot leave their homes because a car blocks their door?
A necessary balance: tourism yes, but with regulation
When I have spoken about these issues before, some have accused me of being “anti-tourism” or of not understanding that many people depend on this industry to survive. But that’s not what I’m criticizing. Well-managed rural tourism can be an incredible source of income and revitalization for small towns. What I question is the lack of regulation, overcrowding and speculation that end up destroying what precisely makes these places special.
Villages cannot and should not become extensions of the city, nor a theme park for tourists. We need regulation that protects the identity of local communities. This includes:
- Control the number of visitors. There are towns that are simply not prepared to receive hundreds of people at a time. Limiting access does not mean excluding, but ensuring a sustainable experience for both visitors and locals.
- Regulating tourist rentals. It is essential that tourist rentals do not displace local residents. Maximum percentages of housing for this type of business or taxes that directly benefit the town could be established.
- Promote tourism education. Visitors should be aware of how to respect the spaces they visit: park properly, do not leave trash, and respect the tranquility of the place.
What future do we want for the people?
The question is simple: do we want small towns to remain places of life and tranquility, or are we willing to turn them into overcrowded attractions, devoid of authenticity?
Rural tourism can be a wonderful tool to revitalize these places. But without a balance, all we will achieve is to destroy them. Today, everything may look beautiful and renewed, but what will happen in 10 years when the local communities have disappeared and prices have driven out their inhabitants? What will be left for the children of those who have been fighting for decades to keep these villages alive?
The tranquility, charm and life of small towns are priceless. It is our responsibility to protect them. LET US REST IN PEACE!
From MasTorrencito we wish you a good day and may your dogs be with you!!!!
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