Last year, the UK cities that are most overcrowded with tourists were revealed and topping the list at number one was Bath. Located in the west of England, Bath is a relatively small city with a population of just under 100,000 people. However, it is famous around the world for its beautIful architecture, universities and history. In fact, it is the only city in the world that is a whole UNESCO World Heritage site.
Huge numbers of tourists visit Bath every year to experience its famous attractions such as the old Roman baths and to walk through the scenic streets. However, those streets can get quite crowded, especially around tourist season. As summer approaches, the number of visitors from outside of Bath coming into the city is gradually building with hotels, restaurants and bars set to be run off their feet with patrons. Residents in Bath appreciate the benefits that tourism brings to their city but it does not come without its difficulties, as some have explained.
One life-long Bath resident, Benjamin Head, told the Express that the main issue with Bath’s high levels of tourism is the amount of properties becoming Airbnbs. Eight years ago, he was buying his first home in the city and was up against two cash offers who wanted to buy the small house to turn it into an Airbnb.
He said: “I paid a lot of money for a relatively small starter home not in the centre. That’s a problem.” Benjamin believes that it’s time for Bath to introduce a tourist tax, similar to cities in Europe such as Venice and Vienna.
He added: “Right now we have all the downsides of high council tax, with specific services being weighted towards tourism. We have to put a lot more effort into bins and all that sort of stuff.”
However, he also recognises the benefits that tourism brings to the city. He explaiend: “You take the tourists away, you will lose a lot of the restaurants and things we residents get to enjoy.”
The issue of Airbnbs and tourist tax in the city of Bath has been brought up multiple times before, most recently at a hustings on housing issues. Liberal Democrat candidate Oli Henman argued: “Many houses have been taken out of rent because they are being made into Airbnbs and short term lets. That’s taking away from our housing stock in the heart of our city centres.”
However, Green candidate Mary Page said that she would hesitate to impose a tourist tax on hotels because the industry is “squeezed” and it might encourage more people to opt for Airbnbs instead.
Benjam was not alone in seeing both the good and the bad when it comes to tourism levels in Bath. Another resident told the Express: “The tourists are a pain. They’re slow walkers, they’re quite rude to locals and they do crowd the city centre.
“However, the tourists are the reason we get to have such a lovely quality of life in Bath. I manage a restaurant and my partner works in money exchange – both os us see tourists everyday and they keep our business alive.”
She added: “I believe existing with tourists is part of the core Bath lifestyle.”
Another person in the Facebook group ‘Born & Bred or Live in the City of Bath’, Linda Skuse, said that she believes there should be a tourist tax added to each night stay in a hotel or other holiday accommodation. However, she admitted that “tourists and students alike bring a vibrancy to the city.”
Jenny Power, who has been living in Bath for five years, explianed how the weekends can be difficult whjen trying to get anywhere because the centre is jammed with tourists. She told the Express: “It’s definitely a different city Monday to Friday than it is on Saturday and Sunday.
“All year round it’s full of hen dos and stags as well. I try to avoid town if I can at the weekend. It’s lovely to see the atmosphere but when you’re trying to actually get somewhere it can be a bit annoying.”
While tourists certainly pose some difficulties for those who live in Bath, there are certian benefits they bring in as well, and there are some extra perks for residents, Jenny said, like how she gets free access to attractions like the Roman Baths because she lives there, an experience that tourists have to pay for.
From a business perspective, tourism is incredibly important for Bath. Operations Manager at Abbey Hotel Bath, Tino van der Woude, told the Express: “Tourism in Bath contributes to a significant portion of Bath’s retail sector, food and beverage establishments and accommodation providers heavily rely on revenue generated by tourism. The strength of the tourist sector in Bath can attract further investment in infrastructure, amenities and the preservation of Bath’s heritage, benefitting both residents and visitors.
“Tourism is undeniably vital to Bath’s economy and heritage. However, the challenges associated with high visitor numbers need to be addressed proactively to ensure a sustainable future for the city, benefiting both its residents and visitors. A balanced approach that focuses on quality, sustainability, and effective management is essential rather than simply continuing to encourage ever-increasing numbers without considering the consequences.”
While recognising the difficulties that high levels of tourism brings to those who live in Bath, it seems as though many opf them have accepted this as a reality and some appreciate the benefits it brings.
