Summer travel season is here, and I think about those beautiful and envy-inducing Instagram travel posts from influencers who visit the most exciting destinations in the world. But I also think about how tourism affects the locals who live in those countries. Overtourism is an issue I’ve recently become aware of and would like to explore in this post. How does overtourism impact the locals and their economies negatively?
Overtourism is when too many visitors go to certain destinations, and it causes these destinations to struggle to manage the high levels of activity from the tourists. Overtourism also leads to the overcrowding of certain destinations, and it strains their infrastructure over time. Overtourism can sometimes strain countries’ natural and economic resources.
One of the earliest cases of overtourism happened in 19th-century England in the fishing town of Brighton. Many affluent visitors came to the seaside villages and towns, and this area became known as a popular tourist destination. The residents didn’t like it because they felt that the overtourism interfered with their way of life as fishermen. The wealthy tourists also had contempt for the fishermen who lived there. Eventually, the local authorities removed fishing boats from the popular areas of town, causing protests and riots from the fishermen.
A similar situation occurred near Niagara Falls in the 19th century. Tourists complained about the overdevelopment there, and they were unhappy about how the landscape was being ruined by overtourism. By 1850, there were 80,000 visitors to Niagara Falls each year.
Along coastal Maine after the end of the Civil War, overtourism occurred rapidly and became a popular destination for the wealthy. Developers built hotels and vacation homes, and traditional maritime families were displaced. These families sold their homes to wealthier residents, and many longtime residents worked as cooks, gardeners, and servants for the newer affluent families.
Causes of Overtourism
So what causes overtourism to occur? There are several factors at work. One possible cause is the rise in affordable travel. Many airlines and credit card companies offer cheap deals to travelers, and this boosts the number of tourists in certain countries. Social media and its influencers also play a small role in overtourism. They post appealing stories about their travels, and you see beautiful pictures of their restaurant meals and visits to the beach. This convinces you that you’re missing out on life unless you travel like them. During peak seasons, certain destinations see high tourism traffic, leading to overtourism. Finally, some countries lack the infrastructure needed to accommodate huge influxes of tourists during the year.
Latest Statistics on Overtourism
Spain is one country that is dissatisfied with the rising overtourism. According to a YouGov Eurotrack survey, 49% of Spaniards say that there are huge numbers of foreign travelers, and 32% say their local municipalities receive too many international travelers. Recently, the Spanish government cracked down on the usage of vacation rental properties, and the city of Madrid paused licenses for tourist flats. Barcelona residents recently protested overtourism by squirting tourists with water pistols.
Gentrification is also related to overtourism in Spain, and it’s causing problems. More wealthy tourists return to Spain long-term and turn apartments into short-term rentals. It displaces longtime residents who can no longer afford to live in the neighborhoods they grew up in. Some Spaniards are calling on the government to stop promoting the idea of relocation to Spain to tourists to minimize the growing gentrification. In the city of Malaga, 25,000 residents protested the effects of overtourism. Barcelona mayor Jaume Colboni plans to ban short-term rentals by 2028 and it includes not renewing the licenses of current landlords. He also plans to increase the tourist tax.
Certain destinations are more at risk of overtourism than others. The Italian city of Venice receives 20 million tourists a year and overcrowding is a problem. It’s gotten so bad that Venice charges visitors an entry fee during peak visiting times of the year. In Bali, the days of peaceful and calm beaches are long gone. Now Bali deals with heavy traffic jams, waste management problems, and overdevelopment. Bali is also depleting its water resources to provide hotels, restaurants, and other establishments with water.
The infamous South American landmark Macch Picchu has been under attack from overtourism. The Peruvian government established stricter requirements by limiting the number of daily visitors. The government has also added mandatory tour guides and designated walking routes to minimize excess tourism.
The Greek city Santorini has more visitors than local residents altogether every year. This results in traffic jams, overbooked hotels, and overcrowded restaurants. The overtourism is so out of hand in Santorini that it’s hard to pass on the streets without huge crowds on it. Residents are concerned about how this affects the city’s water supply and the natural beauty is threatened.
What Measures Are Countries Enacting?
Here are some examples of what some countries are doing to combat excess tourism. The city of Amsterdam is limiting Airbnb rentals and banning new tourist shops from opening in the city’s center. The city of Boracay in the Phillipines is a beautiful destination but has recently been declared a “cesspool” by presidentRodrigo Duterte because of the disarray the beaches are in. The waters contain green algae and much of the coral cover is gone. The Philippine government closed the island for repair and restoration. In Cambodia, government officials increased ticket prices to the Hindu temple Angkor Wat and capped the number of visitors at 100.
What Are the Negative Effects?
One of the most negative aspects of excess tourism is the dilution of the culture that exists there. In Kyoto, Japan’s Gion District, home to geisha culture, has experienced a dilution of culture. Some tourists do not respect the geishas and touch them without permission. Kyoto officials eventually had to ban photography in private alleyways. Machiyas, which are traditional wooden houses in Kyoto, are being turned into short-term rentals. It’s pushing local businesses and residents out of the area.
Excess tourism also gives you an unpleasant travel experience. When popular destination cities and landmarks are overcrowded, you can’t enjoy yourself as much, and it’s stressful to deal with longer lines and sometimes rude tourists. When tourists disrespect the residents, no one wins. The locals become resentful of the tourists, and this leads to stricter regulations that hinder everyone’s ability to experience the joys of travel in the best ways possible.
So What Can Tourists Do?
Some things tourists can do to minimize overtourism is to not stay at the Airbnbs if possible. Many of the Airbnbs in different countries are operated by investors who are a part of mass rental companies that have multiple short-term rentals. These kinds of homes drive locals out of neighborhoods and contribute to a weakening of the local culture there. Don’t just visit the most popular cities in the country. Visit less-traveled towns and venues. Respect the country’s laws and customs, and don’t be rude to local vendors when you shop from them. Visit during off-peak seasons when it’s less crowded.
The beauty of travel is that you get to learn about how cultures all over the world live. But you should be a responsible traveler and be respectful of the residents who live there.