TUI Group CEO Downplays Overtourism Threat


Skift Take

While TUI's CEO is right to point out the macro benefits of tourism in Spain, the company ignores the myriad of local issues in places such as Barcelona and Majorca that are turning locals against mass tourism. It is a self-interested issue to address for virtually the entire travel industry.
The backlash against tourism is growing but the world’s largest mass tourism company isn’t panicking just yet. While TUI Group’s Fritz Joussen acknowledges that the continued growth of tourism in Spain is presenting “a little bit of a challenge,” he believes most people are happy because of the overall benefits to the economy. Spain is arguably the epicenter of the overtourism debate with campaigners in Barcelona and the Balearic Island of Majorca stepping up their attacks on tourism in recent months. For more view the Skift Lens Documentary: