From the Frontlines of Overtourism: Mexico City Residents Shout "This is Our City"

Introduction: What Happened in Colonia Condesa at Midnight

On July 4, 2025, shortly after 9 PM, the popular areas of Condesa and Roma in Mexico City were enveloped in tension, far removed from the usual weekend hustle and bustle. A "Protest Against Tourists and Digital Nomads" that began during the day transformed by night into a mob smashing the glass of luxury boutiques and chasing down passing tourists.mymotherlode.com

1. Timeline of the 48 Hours Leading to the Riot

• 7/3 (Thursday) Midnight: "#CDMXNoSeRenta (CDMX is not for rent)" trends rapidly on social media.

• 7/4 (Friday) 12:00 PM: A peaceful march of about 300 people, mainly university students, begins.

• 5:30 PM: A group, some wearing masks, joins and begins smashing bar windows with stones.

• 7:00 PM: A standoff occurs between protesters and police in front of the U.S. Embassy.

• 9:05 PM: The first arson occurs in the Roma district, and a tourist's bag is snatched. According to police reports, "17 arrests and 11 injuries (including 3 tourists)" were made, but citizen media suggests the number of injuries is double.
  apnews.comtravelandtourworld.com

2. "Digital Nomads" as a Trigger—Rents Double in Three Years

Since the pandemic, remote workers, mainly from the U.S., have flowed into the area. Airbnb properties increased by approximately 190% from 2020 to 2024, and during the same period, the average rent in the Condesa district skyrocketed to 2.1 times in peso terms (according to real estate research firm Tinsa).travelandtourworld.com

Michelle Castro (19, Student)
"My family has lived here for three generations. But now, prices like '1 bed for 1,400 USD/month' are unaffordable for ordinary Mexicans."mymotherlode.com

3. Real Voices from the Streets—Anger and Fear Intersect on Social Media

X (formerly Twitter)

• @Mariana_CDMX

  "I can't condone destroying stores. But it's true that local bakeries have disappeared because of all the Airbnbs. #CDMXNoSeRenta"

• @Nomad_Dave

  "I came to Mexico because I love it, but was shouted at with 'Gringo Go Home.' It's sad."

• @VecinoRoma

  "Tourist taxes aren't enough. Limit the number of days for short-term rentals!"

The inflamed hashtag recorded about 280,000 posts within 24 hours, drawing criticism from abroad as a typical example of "overtourism."

4. Tourist City vs. Living City—Experts Discuss the "Dual Structure"

Urban sociologist Professor Elena Garcia points out, "When short-term residents surge, land prices and the cost of living infrastructure rise in tandem, increasing tax revenue but worsening the sustainability of welfare and transportation." She advocates for

1. limiting Airbnb operating permits to 180 days per year

2. introducing a "Digital Nomad Tax" to fund public housing

3. allocating part of the hotel surcharge to support local shopping streets
   , emphasizing the need for multi-layered regulations.

5. Barcelona, Paris, Rome—The Global Spread of "Tourism Allergy"

In European tourist cities, "Protests Against Tourist Entry" have been frequent from 2023 to 2025. In Barcelona, an ordinance imposing a €5 "Overtourism Surcharge" per cruise passenger was enacted, and Paris reduced the maximum number of Airbnb operating days to 90 ahead of the Olympics. Mexico City is following suit, but many already see it as "too little, too late."apnews.com

6. Government Response and Public Distrust

The day after the incident, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum stated, "Destruction is unacceptable, but the housing issue for residents is urgent." However, the police force that suppressed the protest faced criticism for "excessive defense and use of tear gas." The city council began deliberations on proposals such as the creation of a "Tourism Police" and the mandatory real-time data submission by short-term rental platforms.

7. Economic Impact—Estimated 10% Drop in Tourism Revenue

Travel industry groups report, "SNS videos have spread, leading to a surge in booking cancellations, especially in the North American market." Hotel occupancy rates for July-August could drop by up to 10 percentage points compared to the previous year. In fact, "Mexico City Safety" has become a rapidly rising search term on major OTAs.

8. Resident-Led Innovation—The "Tourism Co-op" Model

Some residents of Condesa have proposed the "Tourism Co-op" concept, where tourists and shared offices are jointly owned in a "cooperative manner," with profits returned to the community.

• Mechanism: 30% of the fees paid by nomads go to a regional fund

• Aim: Offset rent increases with "profit returns" to achieve coexistence
  Though still in the demonstration phase, it is attracting attention as a new model for sustainable tourism.

9. Future Scenarios

Experts see "Scenario B + Regional Return Measures" as the most realistic, while resident groups demand "Immediate A." The seeds of conflict continue to smolder.

10. Conclusion

The footage of the July 4 riot highlighted the light and shadow of Mexico City as a tourist destination to the world. How to balance tourism revenue with residents' lives is a universal challenge not only for Barcelona and Paris but also for Asakusa in Tokyo and Kyoto. "Welcoming travelers while protecting the town." Creating that mechanism is now urgent.