#local-sentiment

#local-sentiment

I think no one was really proud at this statue, not even the first lady of the USA. So I think it's OK that it's removed.

As Spain welcomes 17 million visitors in early 2025, the influx has led to growing tensions between tourists and locals, particularly in popular cities.

"I feel like they're basically turning this place into a military zone, or a wanna-be conflict zone when in reality it isn't," said local resident Anibal Galindo of the deployment.

Far from decrying overtourism, which has intensified in Venice in the 11 years since the Clooneys' big day, leading to the introduction last year of an access charge for pesky day-trippers, Luigi Brugnaro, the city's mayor, publicly thanked Ceron for luring the couple.