Resident resistance to overtourism in Budapest

One of the most debated subjects in city development in Budapest right now is the problem of so-called ’overtourism’ in the central districts VI and VII. Overtourism was defined by the Responsible Tourism Partnership (2018) as “destinations where hosts or guests, locals or visitors, feel that there are too many visitors and that the quality of life in the area or the quality of the experience has deteriorated unacceptably”. A Daily News Hungary report (2015) suggested that tourism is growing year on year in Budapest (e.g. 5.2% growth from 2013-2014) but that tourists spend significantly less than in Prague. The low spending is attributed to the popularity of “low-budget party tourism” based on the “age of ruin pubs” and a “flourishing” Airbnb market.