Page last updated: 16 October 2024
Tourism fuels economies and cultural exchange, yet overtourism occurs when destinations experience too many visitors, causing economic strain, social disruption, and environmental harm.
What is overtourism?
- The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) defined overtourism as the impact of tourism that excessively and negatively affects the perceived quality of life of residents and the quality of visitor experiences.
Overtourism News
- 2024, October 14: Prague, Czechia – guided bar-hopping tours will be banned after 10pm to reduce disruptions from rowdy tourists
- 2024, September 18: Budapest, Hungary – vote to ban short-term rentals in certain areas starting January 2026, addressing concerns about tourism’s impact on local communities.
- 2024: Santorini, Greece – reports of up to 18,000 cruise passengers overwhelming the island daily, straining resources for its 15,000 residents.
- 2024, August 19: Barcelona – local protests over concerns the 32 million annual visitors are driving up housing costs and disrupting local life.
- 2024, July 21: Palma de Mallorca, Spain – 20,000 people demonstrated against mass tourism.
- 2024, July 6: Barcelona, Spain – 6,000 residents protested demanding reduced tourist numbers; tourists were sprayed with water by protesters.
- 2024, May: Japan – A popular view of Mt Fuji was blocked to prevent tourists from taking selfies and inconveniencing locals.
- 2024, April: Venice – introduced a €5 tourist tax on selected weekends.
When did overtourism start?
- The term “overtourism” was introduced in 2016 by Skift, a travel industry news and research company, to describe the harmful effects of excessive tourism on destinations and local communities.
The phenomenon of overtourism is not new and has been evident for centuries.
The First-Ever Documented Case of Overtourism
In the 19th century, Brighton in England (then known as Brighthelmstone) transformed into a tourist hotspot. This led to overtourism and disrupted local fishermen’s livelihoods.1
- The government prioritised tourists’ convenience over residents’ needs, removing fishing boats and confining the local fishing industry to less prominent areas, causing economic hardship for the fishermen.
- The fishing industry was limited to beach areas to accommodate the growing tourist trade.
What causes overtourism?
The causes of overtourism differ significantly depending on the destination. Here are the key factors contributing to increased global tourism:
- Increased Global Travel and Tourism – The number of international tourists has grown exponentially, from 949 million in 2010 to over 1.4 billion in 2019, and is predicted to reach 2.4 billion by 2030.2
- Low-cost transportation such as affordable flights and cruises have made travel more accessible.
- Economic drives implemented by Governments to provide tax exemptions and subsidies make travel artificially cheap and contribute to the growth in tourist numbers.
- Influence of social media and destinations featured in films, and TV shows, and become instant hotspots that encourage tourists to visit top destinations.
Why does overtourism happen?
- Stated in IJTC (International Journal of Tourism Cities) overtourism happens mainly due to government inaction and poor planning. Governments often overlook tourism’s negative impacts and fail to implement measures to manage tourist numbers, leading to overcrowded destinations.
Why is overtourism a problem?
Overtourism causes many issues impacting economies, environments, societies, and cultures in popular destinations. Here are some examples of its effects stated in repository of University in London.
Environmental: Pollution, overcrowding, environmental damage, and depletion of natural resources like water and food in heavy tourist areas.
Social: Local residents often experience antagonism and exclusion from public spaces and amenities due to overcrowding and disruption caused by tourists.
Economic: Overtourism drives inflation and rising living costs, increases local taxes for infrastructure, and leads to a decline in traditional jobs as tourism dominates the economy.
Cultural: Overtourism erodes local culture and heritage, leads to vandalism of cultural sites, diminishes the spiritual integrity of significant locations, and displaces traditional businesses catering to locals.
List of Countries/Destinations with Overtourism
Globally, many popular destinations are facing the challenges of overtourism. Here is a list of countries and destinations experiencing overtourism:
- In 2018, stated in IJTC (International Journal of Tourism City), Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay welcomed up to 6,000 daily visitors resulting in overtourism. The government temporarily closed the island from 2018 to 2022 to recover from the effects of overtourism.
- Barcelona, Spain suffers from severe overtourism, which resulted in 3,000 residents protesting on July 6 2024. Residents demanded reduced tourist numbers and for the government to prioritise fairer economies.
- In Greece, residents in Athens and Paros have protested against overtourism, accusing tourists of displacing locals and diluting the city’s character on islands like Santorini and Mykonos.
- The overwhelming number of tourists in Venice threatens the city’s quality of life and economy.
- In 2022, the surge of tourists in Hawaii strained local resources, causing water shortages and overcrowding. Amid Delta variant concerns, authorities, including Maui’s Mayor Mike Victorino, called for temporary measures reducing incoming flights.
How can overtourism be prevented?
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) emphasised that engaging stakeholders will help prevent overtourism and promote sustainable growth through long-term strategies. Below are some example strategies proposed to address overtourism:
- Distribute visitors over time. Address seasonal and event-related visitor imbalances to ensure consistent benefits for communities and businesses.
- Disperse visitors geographically. Spread tourists across residential and less-visited areas to prevent overcrowding in popular spots.
- Adjust pricing to balance supply and demand. Use pricing to manage visitor numbers, considering potential elitism and domestic tourist access.
- Regulate accommodation supply. Control the availability of tourist accommodations to manage growth.
- Limit access and activities. Restrict or ban certain tourist activities when overcrowding becomes critical.
How do nations deal with overtourism?
Nations facing overtourism employ various strategies to mitigate its impact, customised to their unique circumstances and challenges. Here are some nations that are actively combating overtourism and their strategies to overcome it.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is experiencing overtourism, which affects residents’ quality of life. Below are ways in which Amsterdam is combating overtourism stated by Skift Research and
- Infrastructure Management: The city is restricting private holiday rentals and B&Bs, banning new ones and providing new housing to prioritise residents and young locals.
- Limiting and Rerouting Cruise Ships: Starting in 2026, the city will reduce sea cruises from 190 to 100 and relocate the main cruise terminal outside the city.
- Promoting a Sustainable Economy for Locals: The government of Amsterdam has barred its people from issuing permits for souvenir shops in the city centre, reallocating space to bookshops, salons, and gyms that cater to residents’ needs.
- Launching Campaigns: The city’s “Renew your View” campaign encourages visitors to experience Amsterdam like locals, aiming to reduce tourists seeking vulgar entertainment.
Japan
According to JT (Japan Tourism), Japan is addressing the issue of overtourism through a combination of new rules and future plans aimed at managing visitor numbers and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
- Capacity Restrictions and Visitor Quotas: Mount Fuji limits the number of climbers to 4,000 per day. Ghibli attractions maintain ticket maximums to ensure quality experiences.
- Fees and Taxes: Miya Jima Island has introduced a tourist tax and Japan Rail Pass prices have increased to fund conservation.
- Infrastructure and Tourism Management: The introduction of Kyoto’s special tourist express bus routes aims to reduce overcrowding while Geisha Districts prohibit visitor access to private streets and enforce strict no-photography rules to protect residents’ privacy.
- Future Plans: Japan is considering nominal fees for incoming tourists, promoting less-crowded destinations to disperse traffic, and implementing new fees or caps on group tours to reduce their impact on local communities.
Bali Indonesia
Bali, Indonesia Outgoing Governor Koster issued new guidelines in 2023 for Bali’s development over 2025-2125, focusing on protecting nature, culture, and its local people.
- Limitation of Tourist Activities: In 2023, the government announced a ban on tourist activities on all 22 of Bali’s sacred mountains.
- Community-Led Initiatives: In Penglipuran village, the law prevents villagers from selling land to outsiders, preserving traditional life and Bali’s culture.
- Taxes: The government implemented a tourist tax per visitor and proposed an entertainment tax on tourism activities, but this is currently on hold due to industry resistance.
- Infrastructure and Tourism Management: The government is building new underpasses and planning a light rail transit system to manage congestion. It also aims to attract higher-spending, longer-staying tourists who respect the culture and promote quality, sustainable tourism.
What are the main countries/destinations that experience overtourism?
Overtourism is a global issue that affects various destinations, leading to significant problems for local communities and tourists alike.
Here is a brief description of the issues associated with overtourism in the specified regions:
Asia
- Bali, Indonesia: Rising living costs, housing shortages, and erosion of cultural heritage due to tourist demands.
- Kyoto, Japan: overtourism has caused social tensions, marginalised residents, and led to a ban on tourists entering private alleys in the Geisha district due to misbehaviour.
- Thailand: Limiting on visitor numbers at popular sites like Maya Bay to mitigate environmental damage and preserve cultural heritage.
- Great Wall of China: Overcrowding and infrastructure strain due to high tourist numbers, leading to a need for better management and preservation.
- Angkor Wat, Cambodia: Similar issues to those in Thailand, with restrictions and management measures to balance tourism with cultural preservation.
Europe
- Venice, Italy: Introduction of day passes and entry fees to manage tourist numbers and alleviate infrastructure strain.3
- Rome, Italy: Overcrowding and tension on local amenities, leading to the need for better management and preservation.
- Amsterdam, Netherlands: Ban on new hotel construction to manage tourist numbers and preserve the city’s character.
- Barcelona, Spain: Protests and social movements against the rapid growth of tourism. This has led to the formation of organisations to address overtourism.
- Santorini, Greece: Overcrowding and infrastructure vandalism, necessitating better management and sustainability.
- Amalfi Coast, Italy: Similar issues to those in Venice, with the need for better management and preservation.
- Cornwall, UK: Congestion and stress on local facilities underscore the necessity for enhanced management and conservation efforts.
Africa
- Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt: High tourist numbers cause overcrowding, strain infrastructure, and damage the site, exacerbated by illegal construction and urban sprawl.
North & South America
- Cozumel, Mexico: Overcrowding strains amenities, necessitating better management and preservation amidst pollution and community disruption.
- Hawaii, USA: Similar challenges require improved management and preservation to mitigate environmental degradation and higher living costs.
- Machu Picchu, Peru: High tourist volumes lead to overcrowding, environmental damage, and impact on ancient structures and the local ecosystem.
Global Statistics Resources
- Global Tourism Industry Trends
- Global Tourism Ranking
- Global Tourism 2024
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- Global Car Sales 2024
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