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Negative Impacts of Overtourism Are Growing

Overtourism, exacerbated by the post-COVID tourism boom, negatively impacts local communities and ecosystems, leading to economic inequality, cultural erosion, and environmental degradation. While tourism boosts economies, it often displaces locals and strains infrastructure, prompting governments to seek sustainable solutions like tourist caps and community involvement. Addressing overtourism requires collaboration among stakeholders, leveraging technology, and promoting responsible tourism practices to ensure the preservation of destinations for future generations.

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9 views2 pages

Negative Impacts of Overtourism Are Growing

Overtourism, exacerbated by the post-COVID tourism boom, negatively impacts local communities and ecosystems, leading to economic inequality, cultural erosion, and environmental degradation. While tourism boosts economies, it often displaces locals and strains infrastructure, prompting governments to seek sustainable solutions like tourist caps and community involvement. Addressing overtourism requires collaboration among stakeholders, leveraging technology, and promoting responsible tourism practices to ensure the preservation of destinations for future generations.

Uploaded by

jainjevesh
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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THE IMPACT OF OVERTOURISM ON LOCAL

COMMUNITIES AND ECOSYSTEMS

After the end of the COVID pandemic, as we experienced in 2019–2020, global tourism has seen
unprecedented growth. International tourist arrivals reached over 1.3 billion in 2023 alone. The
figure is smaller than in pre-pandemic times, yet we observe pent-up demand in full swing.

The revival of the tourism industry has boosted world economies and created numerous jobs. But
with it came a troubling phenomenon we know as overtourism. We observe overtourism when the
number of tourists exceeds a destination’s capabilities, negatively impacting local communities and
ecosystems. This article will explore its detrimental effects and cover potential solutions to address
the issue.

Understanding Overtourism

The primary distinction between regular tourism and overtourism lies in a destination's saturation
with tourists. If their number exceeds its capacity to accommodate visitors without negative effects
on the local community, we call it overtourism. The factors behind such developments include the
growth of budget airlines, the impact of social media coverage on popularizing destinations, and
government policies that put tourism sector growth before sustainability. Simply put, when you
travel cheaply, you unlock access to more destinations, while Instagram posts fuel a desire to visit
iconic locations.

In addition, many governments view tourism as a fast way to increase GDP. Despite economic
boosts, the long-term impact is often neglected.

Economic, Social, and Ecological Impacts on Local Communities Economy

We won’t argue that tourism creates jobs and increases revenue for local businesses. Yet it has a
silver lining. With the flow of tourists comes the growth of demand for goods and services, which
drives up the cost of living for locals, causing income inequality, where locals may be unable to
afford necessities. On top of that, as tourism-related businesses dominate regions, they may displace
local enterprises and adversely affect the economic diversity of communities.

Society

In the presence of overtourism, communities strive to adapt to visitors’ preferences, which dilutes
local customs and traditions and leads to a loss of authenticity and heritage (we call it cultural
erosion). Tourists need places to stay, so residential areas are converted into tourist
accommodations, and residents may find themselves displaced, as they cannot cope with rising
property prices and have to relocate.

Not only housing but infrastructure and public services are impacted. Overcrowded public transport,
congested roads, and stretched healthcare facilities are regular phenomena in tourist locations.

Environment

Increased waste, air, and noise pollution can degrade natural landscapes and harm local wildlife.
Where there are many people, natural resources, such as water and food, are consumed more. They
may become scarce or depleted, affecting both residents and the environment. Let us not forget
about construction and human intrusion into natural habitats, which result in biodiversity loss and
ecological imbalance.

Addressing Overtourism

It is pleasing to see that world governments are not blind to the issue and recognize the need to limit
tourist numbers and promote sustainable tourism practices. We may see initiatives such as tourist
caps, strict regulations on accommodations, and the promotion of off-peak travel. For instance, cities
like Barcelona and Venice have introduced taxes on tourists to mitigate the negative impacts of
tourism on local communities.

We can also involve local communities in tourism planning and decision-making. By prioritizing their
needs and perspectives, authorities can develop strategies that balance economic growth with social
and environmental sustainability.

Technological Solutions

The world is becoming tech-savvier, and technology is gaining more possibilities to play its role.
Advanced monitoring systems can track tourist numbers and environmental impact, allowing
authorities to make data-driven decisions. Mobile apps can guide tourists towards sustainable
practices and less crowded attractions, helping to distribute the influx of visitors more evenly across
destinations. Tourism services providers such as tour operators, online travel agencies (OTAs),
destination management companies (DMCs), and any other relevant travel tech stakeholder can
integrate responsible offers into their inventory, backed by integrated solutions from a responsible
travel software company.

Final Say

Overtourism presents significant challenges to local communities and ecosystems but also offers
innovation and sustainable development opportunities. Addressing overtourism requires a multi-
party approach involving government initiatives, technological advancements, and community
participation. Tourists and all other stakeholders in the tourism industry are responsible for
promoting alternative tourism destinations and practices. By working together, we can ensure that
future generations will have the opportunity to marvel at the beauty and integrity of our world’s
most cherished destinations.

Date: 2024-07-25

Article link:
https://www.tourism-review.com/negative-impacts-of-overtourism-are-growing-news14558

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