Episode 119: Tourism Revolt

In Tourism Revolt: The Fight to Reclaim Cities from Mass Travel, Alex Norman and Jamie Blond explore how the explosive growth of global tourism is fueling backlash in cities like Barcelona, New York, Mexico City, Tokyo, and Miami. From Airbnb bans and disappearing neighborhoods to squirt-gun protests and soaring housing costs, they unpack how mass travel is reshaping local life—for better and worse.

With tourism now a $10 trillion global force, this episode dives into the tension between economic growth and cultural survival, asking: who are cities really for—the locals who live there or the tourists passing through? Packed with real-world stories, stats, and banter, this episode challenges listeners to rethink how we travel—and how we build the cities we love.

Have you witnessed tourism changing your city—or one you’ve visited? Share your story and join the conversation @realstatepodcast.