Usedom groans under crowds of tourists: locals suffer!

Usedom groans under crowds of tourists: locals suffer!

Summer has Usedom firmly under control. The sunny island is visited by millions of holidaymakers during this time, which is good for the local economy on the one hand, but also causes major problems on the other. Loud NDR The tourist rush leads to congested streets, overcrowded trains and a lack of parking spaces and living space.

In recent years the number of visitors has increased rapidly. In 2024 alone, the island welcomed around 1.18 million tourists - an increase of 8.6 percent compared to the previous year Watson reported. This flood of guests pushes the locals to their limits. Many people are adjusting their rhythm of life to cope with the flow of tourists. Shopping and leisure activities often take place outside of peak visiting times.

Traffic and infrastructure on the brink

Traffic on Usedom is still a big issue. When accessing the island via the Peene Bridge and the Zecheriner Bridge, there are often long traffic jams as there are only a few main routes. The transport infrastructure is overloaded, which has a major impact on the quality of life of residents. Locals report difficulties getting doctor's appointments or shopping at the supermarket. A bypass road near Wolgast could provide a solution, but its completion is expected to take until 2028 Watson.

An additional problem is the single-track railway line that connects the island to the mainland. Trains only run every hour and are often overcrowded. Despite these infrastructural challenges, the tourism industry does not explicitly speak of overtourism, which corresponds to a high influx of tourists. The state tourism association recognizes that capacities are at the limit, but remains optimistic.

Lack of housing and social challenges

One of the most serious consequences of increasing tourism is the tense housing situation. More and more holiday apartments are being built on the island, which is driving up rents. In Zinnowitz, a two-room apartment now costs around 1,000 euros in rent. This forces many locals to emigrate to neighboring Poland, where the cost of living is significantly lower. Trade unions are urgently calling for an increase in wages in the catering industry and better working conditions in order to retain skilled workers.

Approvals for new holiday apartments are often granted against the wishes of the municipalities. In Heringsdorf, a developer is planning to build 44 new holiday apartments, which is met with massive resistance from the community. The mayor is calling for a construction ban to ensure the quality of life for the locals.

A look at the future

The challenges posed by tourism are complex and urgently need a solution. The locals want a ban on the construction of new holiday apartments and are calling for regulation of new construction in order to maintain the balance between quality of life and tourist pressure. However, according to a recent study, tourism acceptance in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has not decreased. On the contrary, the state occupies the top position in Germany in a comparison of acceptance RND reported.

With a mix of sustainable tourism approaches and a clear commitment to the quality of life of the locals, Usedom could get on the right course. But to achieve this, politicians, the tourism industry and the population must pull together - because Usedom is not just a holiday island, but also home to 31,500 people who deserve a good life.