If you live in a place popular with tourists, how do you feel about?

[Crunchymum]

Currently in a lovely little Airbnb cottage, in a pretty seaside town and I wonder how the locals feel about us tourists.

I get that tourism has major positives - employment / local economy benefits but I'd hate to live next door to an Airbnb or share my lovely beach with a billion others on BH weekend or deal with the noise and rubbish left (not even litter per just the sheer volume)

We are Londoners so are well versed on avoiding tourist hotspots unless we actually want to be in the hub but in smaller places it must be hard for the locals to avoid the tourists?

It would be the same if your ancestors/grandparents/parents/you even had lived in a pleasant village/small town for centuries

for centuries combined, obviously!

North wales here too. I hate second homes/b&bs but welcome the tourists. I love love love seeing an awestruck small child go running on to the beach so sweet.
I cringe myself senseless though watching city folk unwrapping brand new paddle boards/water toys though, or turning up at snowdon in trainers 🤔
The couple times I did try and politely let them know about the rip currents/in coming fog etc people have been really rude so I just watch through my fingers now and hope coast guars/mountain rescue aren't already busy

I live in a very touristy area. I don't mind much because I tend not to go to the nearest beach or down the high street on a Saturday night. This weekend Dd and I are going to the mainland, on lockdown we we bought a jigsaw of Castle Coombe. I remember Christmas shopping there 50 years ago. She would like to see it for real, is it ok if we visit?

Second home owners are the worst - they honestly rip the heart out of places.

I lived in Edinburgh ten years ago and liked living in a touristy place - I felt lucky it was 'mine' while the tourists were paying to spend a short time there.

Agree with a PP that living somewhere that's popular with tourists is a lifestyle choice so you kind of have to suck it up.

In the Highlands here. Am glad for the businesses who have suffered over the past year that they finally have some trade but today my usual three minute journey to Tesco's took 25, camper vans are everywhere - I get it's stunning place to come, but PLEASE book a campsite, stop parking on the Machir - you'll ruin it, stop using the beaches as toilets, dumping litter, lighting campfires irresponsibly, and read the Highway code (especially re single track lanes) and learn to drive.

I love living here, and wouldn't swap it, but I really, really wish people would learn to respect where we live. It's beautiful, but won't stay beautiful if it isn't treated with the care it deserves.

People love capitalism
But want things to stay as they were circa 1950
You can’t have it all, as the saying goes

@Bedtimedear

I don't live in one of those places although have lived in London. I personally think those who live in tourist hotspots will have (or should have) considered this question before moving there/deciding to stay there. If the locals depend on tourism, they cannot also be annoyed by it. Living in one of those places is a lifestyle choice. There are many tourist places I would love to live in but would never actually consider it because I wouldn't want tourists on my doorstep.

Sorry. I'll get off my soap box now!

I don't think that's quite fair. I live in a popular tourist hot spot. I haven't seen empty beaches, truly empty in summer since the 1970's. Should I move away from my life time home to avoid tourists, leaving behind 50+ years of relationships and my entire family? It's not always the rich deciding to buy into a quaint village, some of us were born into these villages. Deciding not to remain isn't an option.

It's not a "lifestyle choice" for me either. My grandparents were all Edinburgh born and bred, my whole family live here.

I grew up in Edinburgh. Once I got a chance to get out, I took it. Trying to get across the city to work was virtually impossible between late June - end of August and the whole of December. Services like street cleaning are re-routed to the city centre during the Festival so residents in every other part of the city receive a poor service. One landlord tried to make us take an 11 month lease until the end of July and then take another 11 month lease from the beginning of September so he could rent out the flat during the Festival for 4x the price. He really didn't care that we had no where else to live during that period.

Great if you're a tourist. Dreadful as a resident.

Most of my family live in a tourist hot spot. You can't walk its streets during day time. You shuffle along, rammed with tourists and the occasional car stupid enough to think they can drive through the village in high season. My family handle it so well. They shop first thing as the tourists are never up and about before 9.30-10am. They holiday away in summer months and also know loads of stunning local areas that aren't 'beauty spots' so they go to those beaches and forests when they want to have a day out. They socialise in their own homes a lot rather than using the cramped pubs. And they appreciate the trade. They never sound frustrated by it.

It's not xenophobia to dislike the damage that tourism does. I have no issues whatsoevever with people moving to LIVE here,from anywhere else in the world. If they are moving here, putting their children in the local schools, paying council tax and contributing to the the community then that is fantastic.

What I hate are the second (third, fourth....) home owners who waft in and out for a few weeks of the year. Even worse, turn their properties into air band b and leave the communities to put up with the inconveniences that can cause.

Of course it’s not a lifestyle choice. I chose to leave Pembrokeshire as the sort of job I wanted is very hard to come by there. DB has stayed because he likes working outside. He chunters a bit about the tourists but generally accepts them as part of life there.

I have just read a news report now about a village in Pembrokeshire. Out of 50 properties only 3 are permanent homes.

We have lived in Dubai for ten years - we live deep in suburbia now so don't come across tourists on a day to day basis apart from weekends when we venture out to eat, to the beach etc.

But before the kids were born, we lived in a really busy area that had lots of hotels, holiday rentals etc and I never really minded it? I guess it was 'easier' because whilst this is very much my home, it's still not my country or my city.

I will say though that I think I've got really good at differentiating between tourists and residents based on their physical appearance. There is such a specific 'Brits on holiday' look!

@MadMadMadamMim

This has been done to death, OP. And it always deteriorates into undignified arguing.

Unless you are making money off tourists, which many locals aren't, then generally it is a pain. Not everybody has a cafe/shop/burger stall. Nurses, teachers, farmers etc live in tourist areas too. The increased people and traffic is generally a pain, to be frank.

everyone does benefit because it benefits the local economy

Not to say tourists can’t also be a pain.

@singsingbluesilver

I have just read a news report now about a village in Pembrokeshire. Out of 50 properties only 3 are permanent homes.

I just saw that on the news. How sad is that.

I live in a part of London which has become an increasingly popular tourist destination over recent years. I agree it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. I hate the fact that we don’t even go to parts of the local area in peak tourist times as it’s so bloody crowded you can barely walk down the street. I hate that all the green spaces get rammed and people leave their litter. I hate that it’s caused a weird proliferation of generic chain restaurants and shitty tourist tat shops, forcing out local/useful businesses.

But then I’m happy to shamelessly benefit from all the amenities in the off season, and do spend more time enjoying the privileges of living somewhere people want to visit than I do hating on them for coming to visit! Although I still roll my eyes every time I see another well-meaning mumsnetter recommending it as a nice day out…

I live right on the coast. The only coast road is gridlocked in the summer, so the locals use the back roads as rat runs
Parking is a nightmare but that's more to do with the councils greed to charge a fortune so people find wherever they can and walk to the beach, locals moan that they can't move their car for the day
I'm grateful that I get to enjoy it everyday, and accept the draw backs. My only two gripes is the rubbish left, it's disgusting, even if it's piled up next to a bin the seagulls get it. They brought it, they should take it home,. The organised coach trip for raves on the beach are awful, it's spoils it for everyone to use for the next few days because of the mess left
I think it's just about respect for others rather than having issues with tourists

Tourism is very different from second homes, and this should be recognised. Value the first, hate the second.

North of Scotland.
Last week one of the roads was blocked by people parking on both sides of the road. Police were called.

Lots of posts on fb pointing at the caravans camping in unsuitable places and emptying their waste onto the side of the road.
Campervans leaving the campsites after discharging their waste without paying (it’s £5).

Women openly boasting about how wonderful it is to have a poo on the beach.

As for the litter- don’t get me started.

Where all these barbarians come from?
The attitude is shocking.

Wish they would all crawl back into whatever hole they came from and leave immediately.

Normal respectful tourists welcomed

Shame everyone so negative about Air BnB. Its the only way we can afford a holiday abroad and are always good guests, getting nice reviews from Superhosts. We are using it again next week for a few days in the Highlands. It makes holidays affordable for those of us not on huge incomes.

I live in a place thats very beautiful...... But also very off the beaten track. We never used to get tourists but a couple of years ago there was a big push by our council and theyre trickling in.

Other than trashing our beaches (( and im there daily, theres no denying the increase during the hols)) im annoyed with the fact no resources have been put into place for them. So our once every 20 minute bus service which everyone uses to the beach because there isnt really a car park. Is now rammed.

Signage hasnt been improved. We have numerous nature reserves with no vehicle access due to ground nesting birds and a few other gubbins. Locals know this. Tourists wanting a fun place to take their 4 by 4 just dont spot the teeny tiny sign

Bins havent increased, that would be a massive help.

Theyve had seal and dolphin watching tours sold to them unbeknownst to the poor old ferryman. And also drop offs to a small island we have. Yes there is a ferryman, with one ferry because the waters are protected due to the seal colony. I ended up dragging my sorry arse out and offering suntan lotion to families who'd been there waiting for hours in the boiling sun. He's always worked on a first come first served basis and wont be changing that. The list goes on and on.

I don't mind tourists, id be a hypocrite if I did as I'm often the tourist. But councils can't rub their hands together with glee at all the money they bring in and provide nothing in return. We don't even have a reliable ice cream van at the beach ffs, he only pops up when he fancies smething to do!

We live in a popular seaside town .Traffic is difficult to negotiate in the summer .Usually "go early come back early" is our mantra! I lived in London as a child and appreciate the beach on our doorstep .Obv heaving ATM ,however Autumn /Spring is nice for walks ,or in the evening for a gentle stroll .I like visitors coming as like to see them enjoying themselves and also the extra cash they put into our economy as well .

@dementedma

Shame everyone so negative about Air BnB. Its the only way we can afford a holiday abroad and are always good guests, getting nice reviews from Superhosts. We are using it again next week for a few days in the Highlands. It makes holidays affordable for those of us not on huge incomes.

Maybe if you are staying in somebody’s home, but lots of Airbnb listings are more expensive than an equivalent let through a rental company.

@NotAnotherPushyMum

We live in a small city that has tourists and students. The tourists are much easier to cope with than the students which have tripled in number in 30 years since we’ve lived here and now every house and piece of land in the city itself has been given over to student accommodation. But generally I have no problem with either, you just get used to dodging them when they stand in the road taking photos.

I feel as though you live in the same city as me..