A one-year ban on registering new apartments for short-term rentals came into effect on Wednesday in the Greek capital of Athens, as authorities seek to find solutions to a housing shortage for permanent residents.

In 2024, the number of available beds in short-term rental units reached 1,022 million in the months up to August — overtaking the 887,740 beds in the country’s hotels for the first time according to local newspaper Ekathimerini.

But the surge of short-term rentals has not come without criticism from the country’s hotel sector who argue that companies such as Airbnb are taking away business.

Permanent residents have said that short-term rentals exacerbate a housing crisis and the influx of tourists into local neighbourhoods has raised prices for those living there — particularly in working-class neighbourhoods.

The law which has taken effect on Wednesday sets a one-year ban on registering new apartments in several Athenian districts including in-demand areas such as Kolonaki, Koukaki, Pangrati and Exarchia.

The legislation, which was approved in November, gave homeowners in the areas until 31 December to declare their properties and also offers tax breaks to property owners who switch from short to long-term rentals.

It’s not the first time Greek authorities have tried to clamp down on short-term rentals. In 2024, Athens introduced a series of regulations including mandatory professional licensing for individuals renting out more than two properties and strict health and safety requirements for those renting.

Properties must also meet various ventilation and liability insurance standards, with critics arguing that the regulations are ineffective long-term.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis justified the measures at a speech in Thessaloniki in September, saying his government had no interest in demonising the short-term rental business but the measures were designed to “ease rent pressures and increase housing availability.”

He acknowledged that short-term rentals were a significant source of revenue for property owners and a driver of tourism in the country which is one of its biggest and most profitable industries.

“The character of our districts must not be altered, nor should the right to profit of one person prevent the right to housing of another,” Mitsotakis said.

“Many cities and countries are struggling with how to regulate the short-term rental market. We are taking some important first steps in that direction. If we think more are needed, we will not hesitate to do them.”

This year was marked by a string of anti-tourism protests across Europe.

Locals and residents fought back to regain their cities with marches, campaigns, slogans and even water pistols.

From Amsterdam and Athens to Venice, Barcelona and the Canary Islands, and Málaga to the Balearic Islands, residents rose up and spoke out about overtourism.

But when it comes to handling increasing visitor numbers as we enter 2025, are authorities and protestors on the same page? Here’s what both groups say – and are planning.

Authorities responded with different overtourism measures

In Barcelona, the city council vowed to get rid of all Airbnb-style accommodation by 2028, and in December 2024, they took the first step when the Urban Planning Commission initially approved an amendment for stricter limits that can now be placed on short-term rentals.

Venice, meanwhile, limited tour groups and banned megaphones back in August. Málaga barred new holiday flats in 43 city neighbourhoods, and the Canary Islands decreed that 90 per cent of residential areas must be allocated to permanent residences within the next five years.

Amsterdam, on the other hand, launched a ‘Stay Away’ campaign, as well as an interactive quiz to test visitors on behavioural etiquette.

But this is more than simply about crowds and noise.

In Spain, where most of the demonstrations have taken place, most of the anti-tourism protests have been about accommodation. Many believe that the current housing crisis is in part due to the increase in tourist accommodation over the last few years.

Are the protests and the new measures working, or do these cities still have a long fight ahead of them?

“We need tourism to decrease”, says Barcelona protestor

The country welcomed 82.8 million international travellers in the first ten months of 2024, beating all previous records, according to the latest statistics from the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism.

And it doesn’t seem to be slowing down: tourism is expected to grow by 25 per cent in the winter of 2024/25 compared with last year, the Spanish Tourism Board recently revealed.

A spokesperson for the Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turístic (Assembly of Neighbourhoods for the Decline of Tourism or ABDT) in Barcelona, who organised some of the protests there, shares their thoughts ahead of the New Year.

“We want to work in ever-larger networks, as well as undertake our usual tasks of mobilisation, political advocacy and pedagogy regarding the nature of the tourism industry,” they say. “We need tourism to decrease”.

They believe that the city authorities are not seeking to reduce the problems but the mobilisation against tourism – while promoting tourism growth at the same time. They believe overtourism is contributing to climatic, social, and environmental issues, as well as the housing emergency.

The authorities, they add, “should abandon any policy of tourism promotion and mega-events and urgently embark on the path of tourist decline and eco-social transition”.

Although the ABDT don’t have any concrete plans for more protests, they are resolute that more changes need to happen.

The spokesperson argues that the city council’s intention to ban all tourist apartments in Barcelona appears uncertain. “At the moment, there is no plan, just a public announcement. Even if it were to become reality, it would be too late and insufficient”.

They maintain that all types of tourist accommodation should be decreased, including hotels, which are “also responsible for the reduction of the housing stock”.

The Canary Islands will hold more anti-tourist protests

Nestor Marrero Rodríguez, secretary of ATAN (the Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature), who helped to organise Tenerife’s overtourism protests in October, also believes that the authorities are not doing enough to help the situation.

“In fact, it’s the opposite,” Rodríguez says. “New projects are still being planned which contribute to the current situation of degradation of the territory and perpetuate the poverty of Canarian society.

But he does concede that a manifesto has been created with a series of measures, such as the creation of a tourist eco-tax, limitation of new constructions in favour of the renovation of existing hotels, and improvement of the purification systems.

“In 2025, there will be several demonstrations in tourist areas, among other protests that are being planned by different groups,” Rodríguez confirms, although he does not reveal any specific dates.

Rodriguez has a message for anyone thinking of taking a holiday in the Canary Islands next year.

“As long as the situation remains the same, you should choose other more sustainable destinations, with less polluted seas and where their money does not contribute to the impoverishment of the local population and the overexploitation of their resources,” he says.

He also adds that there are several local companies where tourists can vacation in a more sustainable way.

Should visitors still ‘stay away’ from Amsterdam?

In Amsterdam, city councillor Sofyan Mbarki speaks to Euronews Travel about how they plan to tackle issues of overtourism for the coming year.

Mbarki explains that over the past years, more than 75 measures have been implemented to combat the negative effects of overtourism – from rules to regulate the capacity of B&Bs and vacation rentals to relocating and reducing sea and river cruises and banning coaches in the city centre.

“We see that previous measures have had an effect. However, we also know that more is needed to address the nuisance caused by tourism and cope with the increasing number of visitors in the future,” he explains.

Mbarki confirms that one of the ways they’ll do this in 2025 is by continuing to ban the addition of beds in hotels in the city, as well as the ban on the creation of new hotels.

“We are also bringing forward closing times for more cafes and restaurants and working on spreading out coffee shops across the city,” he adds.

“These measures have had a positive impact on livability,” but more is needed, he assures, confirming that additional measures to regulate the growing number of visitors and further reduce disturbances would be taken in 2025.

“Visitors remain welcome,” Mbarki says. “But not if they misbehave or cause disturbances”.

“If you plan to visit Amsterdam, be mindful of the rules. We are taking measures to ensure neighbourhoods popular with tourists remain liveable for residents and overcrowding is reduced”.

He also reminds tourists that they can help by exploring areas outside the city centre, as well as “incredible places throughout Amsterdam and the surrounding region”.

Several amber and yellow weather warnings are being forecast for the UK, starting tonight (Monday 30 December) and going well into Thursday 2 January, which is putting a literal dampener on New Year festivities.

Organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations have announced last-minute cancellations in the interests of public safety.

All outdoor events taking place on 30 and 31 December have been scrapped due to high winds, including the renowned street party, the midnight fireworks and the concert in Princes Street Gardens featuring the band Texas.

Travellers are now being advised to plan ahead and limit journeys where possible. If you do travel, there could be some disruption, particularly on the roads and railways.

Expect ‘multi-hazard’ weather on New Year’s Day

The UK’s Met Office has issued several warnings throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This is due to a series of low-pressure systems moving across the UK that will bring unsettled weather.

“There is a very complicated weather forecast for the UK with snow, strong winds and heavy rain all feature for parts of the UK,” said Andy Page, chief forecaster with the Met Office.

“Almost the entire UK is covered by at least one weather warning during the coming week.”

Already, heavy rain and strong winds are affecting much of northern Scotland and the central belt, creating what the UK’s Met Office is describing as blizzard-like conditions.

“With such a varied and complex weather situation, there is potential for the pattern of warnings to shift and possibly escalate in some areas,” added Page.

Organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay took the decision to cancel the candlelit torchlight procession on Sunday evening, an event considered the official launch of Scotland’s New Year festivities that usually attracts thousands of people.

The famous street party of the Scottish capital and the Princes Street Garden concert have also now been scrapped amid challenging conditions. Ticket holders will receive instructions about how to claim refunds.

Indoor events, such as the candlelit concert at St Giles Cathedral and the New Year Revels at the Assembly Rooms, and those scheduled for New Year’s Day are expected to go ahead as planned.

Exposed locations could expect gusts of up to 70mph, which could cause further disruption to New Year’s festivities.

“With lots of celebrations and people on the move over the coming days, we are urging everyone to keep checking the forecast so they can update their plans,” said Page.

Snow has been forecast for New Year’s Day

Up to 10 to 20cm of snow accumulation is expected on higher ground over the region of Perthshire by tomorrow.

And on New Year’s Day, parts of Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and northern England may also be affected by snow as low pressure moves eastwards and encounters colder air.

“Locally, there could be accumulations of 10-15cm of snowfall with larger amounts over the higher hills,” explained Tony Wisson, the Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster. He warned that with associated strong winds, drifting snow may also be seen.

Likewise, flood warnings are being advised in England and Scotland.

Should you travel in the snow and ice?

When there’s heavy snow and ice, most countries recommend you avoid travelling where possible, and if driving, to wait until roads have been gritted.

For some, this may mean changing your New Year’s Eve plans.

If you are making a journey when snow is forecast, ensure you are well-prepared with waterproof and warm clothing and good footwear, food and water.

Advice for UK drivers this New Year

If you are driving in snow and ice, the Met Office recommends you drive more carefully, leave plenty of space between you and the driver in front, and slow down. It can take 10 times longer to stop in snowy or icy conditions, and black ice isn’t always visible.

Use the highest gear to prevent wheel spin and avoid harsh braking and acceleration. If you do start to skid, ease gently off the accelerator rather than applying the brake. You should also carry a torch, spade, blanket, food, and water in your car.