Overtourism in Berlin: we are all part of the problem or part of the solution.
The 2020s have not been especially kind to Berlin but, finally, there is some great news to report; the seemingly relentless tide of overtourism has finally been turned, allowing responsible visitors and residents to enjoy the city without the swarming crowds and vomit-soaked doorways which pockmarked the previous decade.
The Roots of Overtourism in Berlin
Berlin’s transformation into a global tourist hotspot can be traced to its rich historical legacy and dynamic urban culture. Moreover, Berlin’s reputation as an affordable European capital compared to cities like Paris or London has made it a popular choice for budget travellers. But, it was the FIFA World Cup of 2006 which really blew the lid off it.
Fabulous party-town footage was beamed around the planet, and the low-cost airlines hurried to reroute their schedules to any one of our (then) three well-functioning airports. The EasyJetter Generation was born.
In total, the city had welcomed just under 6.5 million visitors in 2005. And by 2015, that number had rocketed by 95% to 12.7m and remained on an unsustainably insane trajectory until COVID-19 stepped in to burst the balloon.
But tourism is good for people like Die Fabrik, right?
Well, no. While tourism plays a crucial role in Berlin’s economy, contributing significantly to job creation and revenue, the phenomenon of overtourism has emerged as a growing challenge. Overtourism, an excessive influx of tourists leading to negative impacts on a destination and its local population, has created a range of social, economic, and environmental issues in Berlin. Geese and golden eggs spring to mind.
The rise of EasyJetting and the popularity of online booking platforms like Airbnb have further fuelled tourism growth. While these platforms offer affordable and convenient accommodation options, they have also contributed to housing shortages and rising rents for people like us. Neighbourhoods like ours in Kreuzberg, which are where everyone wants to be anyway, have become focal points of this phenomenon, with an influx of tourists often disrupting local life.
Such as ..?
One of the most immediate consequences of overtourism is the strain it places on local residents. In Berlin, neighbourhoods experiencing high tourist footfall have seen their identity change dramatically. Shops, cafés, and other businesses catering to locals are often replaced by establishments targeting tourists, leading to the phenomenon of “touristification.”
This shift can rip the soul out of the cultural fabric of communities and leave long-time residents feeling less than chuffed. It is short-changing visitors. too. You didn’t come for shops full of cheap tourist tat, did you?
Moreover, the noise and congestion caused by large groups of tourists can disrupt the daily lives of residents. Streets once quiet and residential began bustling with drunks, creating tensions between locals and visitors. Events like pub crawls and night tours, while enjoyable for tourists, often lead to late-night noise disturbances, exacerbating these tensions.
We live here. Our team lives here. We want to be shopping locally for our groceries and getting our boots re-heeled on the next corner. The last thing we need is a vegan fro-yo bar and another 24-hour Späti. And, we certainly don’t want to see our rents being pressured to ever unaffordable levels of madness.
Overcoming Overtourism: Solutions and Strategies
We believe that addressing overtourism in Berlin requires a multi-faceted approach involving residents, policymakers, and the tourism industry. Several initiatives are already underway to mitigate the effects of overtourism and promote sustainable practices. And, these are bearing fruit.
A recent analysis by the Tagesspiegel Innovation Lab (DE, sorry) and other European media in the Urban Journalism Network threw up encouraging results. Data from the European statistical authority Eurostat was evaluated on the basis of information from large booking platforms such as Booking or Airbnb. According to the study, the nights booked in Berlin studios and short-term apartments had fallen by 28 percent between 2018 and 2023, meaning that the levels of the years before the Corona crisis are still a long way off.
(What nobody has mentioned is that using Airbnb is decidedly uncool these days; the cocaine of holiday making – great fun at the time, but who wants the consequences of that on their conscience?)
Regulating Short-term Rentals: The city has introduced regulations to curb the negative impact of short-term rentals on the housing market. These include limits on the number of days a property can be punted out and requirements for hosts to register their properties with local authorities.
‘nuff respect too to social media campaigns that have prompted some of the more liberal press outlets to shine a welcome light on the darker side of holiday lets. Money-laundering opportunities for organised crime, non-existent safety measures for guests, homelessness for life-long residents. The crisis in Spain is a case in point.
While it is quite rare for Airbnb guests to be physically attacked simply for using the platform, there have been instances where tensions between tourists and local residents have boiled over due to the negative impacts of short-term rentals.
These tensions are more commonly voiced through protests, public criticism, or online backlash rather than physical violence. However, it’s important to understand the broader context of why some communities are frustrated with Airbnb and its effects on their cities. And, that brings back us to the unholy trinity of crime, safety, homelessness.
“Tourists go home”?
Certainly not, we love you! But, if you’re planning a DIY visit to a city like Berlin, it’s important to be mindful of the local context and the impact of your stay. Here are a few tips:
Google the Neighbourhood: Choose accommodations in areas less affected by housing shortages or anti-tourism sentiment.
Support Local Businesses: Spend money at local shops, restaurants, and services to contribute positively to the community.
Don’t be a Dick
- Respect Local Norms: Be mindful of noise, waste, and other behaviours that could disrupt residents who might just “disrupt” you back.
Consider Alternatives: Look into hotels, hostels, or other established and regulated business that may actually be a part of the local fabric.
You would say that, wouldn’t you?
Of course, we would. We are an independent, low-cost Berlin accommodation provider, and that is what we have all been doing since before Berlin danced to the tune of “poor but sexy”. We are all Berliners – by choice or by birth – and we have weathered gentrification, the naked greed of US-based portals, and a global pandemic. Yet, we still provide some of the best-value sleeps in town.
It’s what we do and the choice is all yours.
