Kaylah Walton
Recently, popular tourist spots have taken steps to limit the influx of visitors to protect their environments and improve life quality for residents. People in small towns and major cities across Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Italy have voiced their concerns about the negative effects of overtourism, advocating for a shift away from this unsustainable economic approach.
Harry and Meghan have recently acquired a new vacation residence in the picturesque village of Comporta, located roughly an hour south of Lisbon, Portugal. They plan to work with Denton House, an elite architectural firm, to turn the area into a luxurious residential and resort hub.
Local Concerns About Access
Residents of Comporta have voiced their discontent, perceiving the situation as a fraudulent scheme. Public beaches that used to be accessible to everyone are now restricted to the affluent, sidelining the voices of long-standing locals.
New government measures in Portugal have limited public access to beaches, leading to the closure of areas that residents once enjoyed freely, a change that many disapprove of.
Numerous locals have reached out to the media to express their concerns. One resident commented, “This is the worst thing to happen to the Portuguese coast-typical greed at play. They’re taking land and property from locals who have enjoyed it for generations.” Another lamented, “It’s heartbreaking to see land being destroyed for the wealthy, taking away cherished places from the common people who have been making memories here for many years.”
The new property boasts a stunning beachfront in the Algarve, an area that, while not widely recognized by tourists, is favored by the affluent. Upon completion, the resort is projected to include 300 residences, with starting prices at an impressive £3.6 million.
