Prince Harry and Meghan Markle contribute to the impoverishment of small communities in Portugal

In recent years, we have seen many well-known touristic destinations reject the massification of tourism in an effort to reduce the number of travelers visiting these sites. Locals from small villages and large cities in Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Italy have expressed their desire to put an end to this over-touristic economic model, as it damages the local ecosystem and diminishes the quality of life for residents.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have purchased a brand-new vacation home in Portugal, specifically in a village about an hour south of Lisbon, Comporta. Their aim is to develop one of the world's most glamorous residential and resort destinations with the help of Denton House, a high-end architecture and interior design firm.

Residents report this abuse

Locals from Comporta have expressed their frustration over what they view as a scam. The once public beachfront is now accessible only to the rich, leaving long-time residents feeling excluded and without a voice in the matter.

Portugal's Government now allows the restriction of public beach access, resulting in the closure of multiple natural areas that locals have enjoyed freely for years, due to these new and widely disliked laws.

Many residents have spoken to the media to highlight this injustice. "This is the worst thing to happen to the Portuguese coast-typical greed at play. They're taking land and property from locals who have enjoyed it for generations," some stated. "It's heartbreaking to see land being destroyed for the wealthy, taking away cherished places from the common people who have been making memories here for many years."

The property is located on a stunning stretch of beach in the Algarve, a region less known among tourists but popular with wealthy and high-profile individuals. Once completed, the resort is expected to feature 300 homes, with prices starting at a staggering ?3.6 million.