Gotland, with its approx. 61,000 inhabitants is visited every summer by around 1 million tourists. Tourism generates millions of kroner for the island and is an important pillar for the region to go around. And considering the summer gem that the island is with all the donut shops and beautiful places, no one is probably surprised by the popularity of the destination.
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Stop promoting donut stands
According to SVT Region Gotland has noticed in recent years that tourism has increased and that some places are more visited than others during the summer. In order to spread the tourism industry to other parts of the island, Region Gotland chooses to stop marketing and showcasing, among other things, the popular bathing spot Blå lagunen in order to direct tourism to other destinations.
Visby during the summer of 2020. Photo: Sören Andersson/TT How are the residents affected?
The problems for the residents of the island do not seem to be few and everyday life becomes more difficult. Considering the one million visitors, there will be a marked difference in the infrastructure on both roads and in public transport.
– We have an infrastructure that cannot always cope with high pressure during these summer weeks, says Karin Winsnesbusiness strategist at Region Gotland to SVT.
The grocery stores are also filling up and many residents feel that food prices are becoming more expensive. In addition, there will be competition in the housing market as a result of tourism.
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– This gentrification is devastating for Gotland. What is happening is that our fully functioning homes are bought up by people who do not need another house, says a Visby resident that SVT spoke to.
But the biggest problem is the lack of water. Region Gotland urges both residents and tourists to shower in the sea to save water.
What do the residents think?
Those interviewed by the reporter on SVT are not very positive about the development of tourism on Gotland and they would rather not have any visitors.
– I am critical of the development that we see on Gotland right now, where this island is turned into a destination at the expense of what the place is for us who live here, says a resident on the island.
Others in the local population think it will be too crowded, littered, difficult to get to, that it is loud and will be difficult to sleep during the worst weeks.
The request for tourist tax
As in many popular holiday destinations around Europe, the locals have grown weary of tourism and in some places tourist fees and taxes have been introduced. For the islanders on Gotland, the anger towards tourists has become just as palpable.
According to The evening paper there is an ongoing debate about introducing fees here as well. This is as a result of the wear and tear caused by the hospitality industry. According to proposals, the money could be used, among other things, to equip nature, cultural heritage and infrastructure, which during the holiday months will be extra burdened.
Someone who is positive about the proposal is Björn Ahlsénresident of Gotland and former head of culture at Region Gotland, whom Aftonbladet interviewed.
– Many people think that it is expensive enough to go here. But we are some debaters who think that if Barcelona and Rome can introduce fees, we should be able to do it here too, he says.
Björn Ahlsén has nothing against tourists, but he sees that an addition to the coffers to equip wear and tear would have been necessary.
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