UK Cities Cambridge, St Ives Overrun by Tourism, Locals Leaving

Several popular UK destinations are experiencing significant challenges due to overtourism, impacting local residents' quality of life and housing affordability. In St Ives, Cornwall, residents face rising property prices and rental costs driven by second home purchases and holiday lets, despite measures like a 'principal residence' requirement aimed at curbing this trend. Similarly, Cambridge, renowned for its historic university and architecture, attracts over eight million tourists annually, leading many locals to feel the city is 'overrun' and causing a decline in permanent residency and local community cohesion. The tourism sector is vital economically, providing nearly a quarter of local jobs in Cambridge, yet many residents express frustration over the strain on infrastructure and the diminishing sense of local identity. Globally, small nations and popular holiday destinations also experience extreme tourist-to-resident ratios, such as Andorra and Malta, highlighting a broader pattern where tourism dependency can cause social and economic pressures. These issues underscore the complex balance between maintaining vibrant tourist economies and preserving sustainable living conditions for local populations.