Editorial photo #11508263 Human Interest
Tuk-Tuks Are Clogging Streets And Making Our City Unlivable
An empty Tuk Tuk awaits tourists in Lisbon, Portugal, on August 24, 2024. Tourism in Portugal booms, leading to congested streets in Lisbon filled with tuk-tuks. In 2024, global tourism is expected to break records, fueled by ''revenge travel,'' digital nomad trends, and golden visas, which also drive up housing prices. The World Travel and Tourism Council projects a 24% growth in Portugal's tourism sector over 2019 levels, adding 126,000 jobs and comprising 20% of the economy. However, rising property prices push locals out of the housing market. Overtourism now harms residents, degrades sites, and overwhelms infrastructure. (Photo by Luis Boza/NurPhoto )