OVERTOURISM BACKLASH – Cities FIGHT BACK!

As global tourism rebounds, strategic solutions like timed-entry and digital systems are tackling the growing threat of overtourism.

At a Glance

• The tourism sector is on track for full recovery by 2024, raising overtourism concerns.
• Overtourism damages local communities, cultures, and ecosystems.
• Timed-entry tickets and digital solutions distribute tourist traffic evenly.
• Tourism fees help manage visitor numbers in various global destinations.

Understanding the Problem

The global tourism sector is expected to make a significant recovery by the end of 2024, potentially exacerbating the issue of overtourism. Some iconic locations such as Venice, Dubrovnik, and Barcelona have been grappling with overwhelming visitor flows, leading to adverse impacts on local communities and natural environments. Contributing factors include short-term rental accommodations, cruise tourism, and budget air travel, creating a perfect storm for destinations to manage responsibly.

Overtourism leads to various negative outcomes, including escalating housing prices, cultural erosion, and environmental damage. Additional challenges include diminished visitor experiences as popular attractions become overcrowded and less enjoyable. Solutions are crucial for maintaining a balance between benefiting from tourism while preserving local identities and natural habitats.

Strategic Solutions in Action

Timed-entry systems and digital solutions are at the forefront of addressing these issues. Implementing timed-entry tickets allows for better management of tourist numbers at popular sites, easing pressure during peak times. This approach is facilitated by investments in digital platforms for seamless online registrations and mobile app interactions, reducing wait times and enhancing the visitor experience.

“such growth to be managed responsibly so as to best seize the opportunities tourism can generate for communities around the world” – UNWTO.

Many places are also introducing tourism fees and taxes to help control visitor numbers, as seen in Bhutan, Croatia, Amsterdam, and Venice. Encouraging travel to lesser-known destinations and promoting off-peak travel seasons are additional measures being adopted to evenly distribute tourism demand. The “destination dupe” trend further supports this by suggesting alternatives to crowded tourist hotspots.

Destination-specific Strategies

Ibiza has introduced a permit system, from June to September, for non-resident vehicles to curb overtourism. By requiring a €1 daily permit for private vehicles and capping the daily number of non-resident vehicles, Ibiza aims to align with sustainability goals of the Balearic government. This move includes provisions for rental cars and tourist vehicles while exempting motorcycles. Mallorca follows a similar path, with traffic restrictions in Soller, reserving certain zones for residents only.

“residents only” – Soller

These efforts collectively represent a proactive stance to nurture sustainable tourism and preserve the character and ecology of popular regions. It underscores the necessity for collaboration among governments, communities, and tourists to shift towards responsible travel that not only rejuvenates crowded locations but also revitalizes less frequented areas.