Overcrowded gondola boat filled with tourists crossing a canal in Venice, highlighting overtourism in the historic city.
For many people, travel represents cultural discovery, personal growth, and economic opportunity. Journeys to new places broaden perspectives, spark joy, and support local livelihoods. However, in recent decades, tourism has revealed a darker side.
The term overtourism describes what happens when visitor numbers exceed what a destination can sustainably manage. Excessive tourism strains infrastructure, disrupts communities, and damages natural environments. Over time, once-idyllic places can become overcrowded, stressed, and increasingly hostile toward visitors.
Modern travel has become easier and more affordable than ever. Yet when visitor numbers rise beyond social, environmental, and infrastructural limits, the very appeal of a destination begins to fade.
How Overtourism Became a Global Issue
A smartphone captures the reality of crowded tourist streets in a historic European city.
Overtourism did not appear overnight. Several long-term trends have converged to create today’s pressures.
Global population growth plays a role. The world’s population more than tripled between the 1950s and the 2020s. Even without changes in travel behaviour, more people would be travelling simply because more people exist.
At the same time, interest in travel has grown. Rising disposable income has given more people the financial means to explore. Travel has shifted from a luxury to a mainstream lifestyle aspiration.
The Impact of Global Mobility
The biggest driver of overtourism is increased global mobility. In 1950, the world recorded just 25 million international tourist arrivals. By 2019, that number reached 1.5 billion. After the pandemic dip, arrivals rebounded quickly, with an estimated 1.4 billion international tourists in 2024.
Advances in travel technology have accelerated this growth. Larger aircraft, faster routes, mega cruise ships, and specialised vehicles now transport visitors to even the most remote locations. These improvements reduce costs and increase convenience.
Budget airlines have transformed travel patterns. Cities like Barcelona, Bangkok, and Bali now sit just a few clicks away for millions. Online booking platforms and short-term rental apps make planning effortless. Cruise tourism also contributes, as thousands of passengers can flood a port city within hours, overwhelming local infrastructure.
Social Media and the Rise of “Must-See” Destinations
Social media has reshaped how people travel. Travel now doubles as performance. Iconic locations appear repeatedly on social feeds, driving sudden spikes in demand.
Sites such as Santorini’s blue-domed churches, Iceland’s Skógafoss waterfall, and Ubud’s rice terraces attract waves of visitors seeking the same photograph. A single viral post can turn a quiet place into a global hotspot almost overnight.
This cycle creates what many describe as a “selfie pilgrimage.” Hashtags and geotags accelerate crowding, often without warning or preparation at the destination level.
When Residents Push Back
Tourists Go Home” Graffiti on European City Street
Although the effects of overtourism have built for decades, the term gained popularity in the 2010s. Public awareness surged in 2017 when residents in cities such as Barcelona began openly protesting against tourist overcrowding.
Local frustration has intensified across many destinations. Residents report rising rents, displacement, and the erosion of neighbourhood life. Short-term rentals often push housing prices beyond local affordability.
Venice illustrates this struggle clearly. Millions of annual visitors strain its fragile canals and historic architecture. Authorities introduced a day-tripper entry fee in an attempt to control numbers and protect its UNESCO World Heritage status. However, visitor volumes remain high.
In 2024, protests also targeted high-profile events linked to wealth inequality. Demonstrations surrounding a celebrity wedding in Venice highlighted concerns about elites exploiting already strained cities.
.
Large crowd of tourists gathered around a famous city fountain, taking photos and selfies in a historic European square.
Visible Tensions Across Europe
Barcelona has seen some of the most visible resistance. In the summer of 2024, thousands gathered to protest overtourism. A small group using toy water pistols made global headlines, symbolising deeper frustration rather than hostility itself.
Similar protests have appeared across southern Europe, including parts of Spain and Italy. These actions reflect mounting resentment toward cities that feel transformed into tourist playgrounds.
Crowded traditional market street in Japan filled with locals and tourists walking under lanterns and shop signs.
Environmental Damage Beyond Cities
Overtourism affects more than urban centres. Natural environments suffer significant harm as well.
National parks such as Yosemite and Mount Fuji struggle with congestion, litter, and habitat damage. Heavy traffic clogs access roads. Overcrowded trails erode soil and vegetation. Visitors seeking quieter paths often stray off trail, harming ecosystems.
Marine environments face similar threats. In Thailand’s Maya Bay, boat anchors and foot traffic severely damaged coral reefs. At one point, less than 8% of the reef remained intact. Temporary closure allowed partial recovery, but the ecosystem remains vulnerable.
Beyond individual sites, tourism contributes to carbon emissions, water shortages, and waste overload. Small towns and island nations often lack the resources to meet visitor demand without costly imports.
Contactless Mobile Payment at Outdoor Café
Economic Gains and Uneven Outcomes
Tourism remains a vital economic engine. It creates jobs in hospitality, transport, retail, and food services. Visitor spending injects money directly into local economies and supports infrastructure development.
Tourism can also encourage heritage preservation. Historical sites, crafts, and traditions often receive renewed attention and funding through visitor interest.
However, overtourism distorts these benefits. Profits frequently flow to multinational hotel chains, cruise operators, and global booking platforms rather than local businesses. Many tourism jobs remain seasonal and low-paid.
Heavy reliance on tourism also increases vulnerability. The pandemic revealed how quickly tourism-dependent economies can collapse when travel stops.
CULTURAL AND SOCIAL STRAIN
Perhaps the most intangible but deeply felt impact of overtourism is cultural erosion. When demand for “authentic experiences” rises, the authenticity itself can become commodified. Traditional festivals may be rescheduled or re-staged to suit tourist calendars. Local crafts risk being reduced to cheap souvenirs, while restaurants adapt local cuisine to suit international tastes, gradually losing their unique culinary traditions. The dilution and commercialisation of local customs, traditions, crafts, and food to cater to tourist demands can diminish their cultural significance.
Graffiti on a pedestrian street reading “Tourist Go Home!” with people walking in the background on a sunny day.
Rising Costs for Local Communities
High visitor demand often inflates prices. Housing, food, and everyday services become more expensive for residents. Tourist gentrification pushes locals out of their own neighbourhoods.
Public services also face strain. Transport systems, waste management, and healthcare services must support populations far beyond resident numbers. Managing these pressures requires costly investments, which can divert funds from other public needs.
Cultural Erosion and Social Fatigue
A travel photographer enjoys capturing urban beauty at a historic city fountain.
One of overtourism’s most profound effects is cultural dilution. As demand for “authentic experiences” grows, authenticity often becomes staged.
Festivals shift schedules to suit visitors. Traditional crafts turn into mass-produced souvenirs. Local cuisine adapts to international tastes, losing its original character.
Crowds also undermine the travel experience itself. Queuing for hours or navigating packed attractions diminishes the sense of discovery. For locals, constant disruption to daily life creates fatigue and resentment.
What Can Be Done to Manage Overtourism?
No single solution can resolve overtourism. Effective responses require coordinated strategies.
Some destinations manage visitor numbers directly. Peru limits daily access to Machu Picchu through timed entry and mandatory guides. Venice and Lisbon charge fees to regulate day visitors and cruise passengers.
Bhutan follows a different model. Its “high value, low impact” policy charges a daily Sustainable Development Fee, keeping visitor numbers low while funding healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Happy Female Traveler with Backpack and Camera Ready for Adventure
Spreading Visitors More Evenly
Another approach focuses on dispersal. Authorities encourage travel to lesser-known regions and promote off-peak seasons. This strategy reduces pressure on hotspots while spreading economic benefits.
Cities such as Amsterdam, Santorini, and Reykjavik use targeted campaigns to redirect visitors away from overcrowded centres.
Regulating short-term rentals also helps. Cities including Amsterdam and San Francisco limit rental days and require host registration to protect housing availability.
The Role of Travellers
Travellers themselves play a crucial role. Responsible travel means respecting local culture, supporting local businesses, and choosing less saturated destinations.
Slow travel offers one alternative. Staying longer, travelling less frequently, and prioritising meaningful experiences reduces environmental impact while deepening connection. Moments spent with locals often outlast memories of long queues.
Moving Towards Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable tourism goes beyond eco-friendly practices. It focuses on balance.
Governments must set and enforce limits. The tourism industry must value quality over volume. Communities need a voice in shaping policies. Travellers must treat destinations as shared spaces rather than consumable products.
Overtourism reflects a deeper question of values. When travel becomes a checklist of images, degradation follows. When approached as cultural exchange, travel can still benefit everyone involved.
Destinations that manage tourism carefully often find that fewer visitors bring greater long-term rewards. Measured travel protects communities, preserves environments, and creates richer experiences for all. PRIME
Author
You Might Also Like:
Nature Calls: Why Ecotourism Matters Today — And Where to Begin
Nature Calls: How to Choose an Ecotourism Destination That Truly Makes a Difference
New Decade, New Wonders – The New 7 Wonders of The World by Ms Jean Tsai
Nature Calls: Exploring Galápagos Islands Ecotourism
Nature Calls: Why Costa Rica Ecotourism Leads the World
Leave A Comment