Overtourism Plagues Great Destinations—Read The Article
Read The Articleovertourism Plagues Great Destinations Heres Whya
Read the article “Overtourism” which discusses the challenges that tourism poses to popular destinations, including issues related to overcrowding, environmental degradation, and cultural impacts. It explores practical measures that countries and destinations can implement to combat overtourism, such as implementing tourist taxes, managing visitor flow, promoting sustainable tourism practices, and diversifying tourism attractions. The article also examines specific cases of destinations affected by overtourism, detailing the measures they adopted to address these challenges.
Questions:
1. What are some of the practical measures that countries and destinations may do to combat “over-tourism”?
2. Research a destination or country that has been the subject of over-tourism. Give a brief description of the situation and explain some of the solutions that were found to deal with the problem.
3. What is your view of the “quantity versus quality” argument for “better tourism”? In many cases, it seems the number of tourists visiting will be the main priority. How may destinations work to create “better tourism”?
Paper For Above instruction
Overtourism has become an increasingly pressing issue for many of the world's most visited destinations. While tourism is a significant driver of economic growth and cultural exchange, its unchecked expansion can lead to severe environmental, social, and cultural consequences. To address these issues, various practical measures can be implemented by governments, local authorities, and tourism operators to promote sustainable and responsible tourism, balancing visitor numbers with the well-being of local communities and ecosystems.
One of the primary strategies to combat overtourism is the introduction of tourist taxes or fees. These levies serve multiple purposes: they generate revenue for conservation efforts, infrastructure maintenance, and community projects, and they act as a deterrent against excessive visitation. For example, Venice, Italy, implemented a tourist tax that varies depending on the season and visitor volume, helping to manage the number of tourists and fund city preservation (Seraphin, Cloutier, & Li, 2018). Similarly, the Balearic Islands introduced a tourism tax in Mallorca, which contributes to sustainable tourism initiatives and environmental protection.
Another effective measure involves managing the flow of visitors through regulations and quotas. Many destinations now limit the number of tourists allowed per day or during peak seasons. For instance, Machu Picchu in Peru introduced a daily visitor cap and mandatory timed entries to reduce overcrowding and protect the site from deterioration (Lahitte et al., 2018). These measures help distribute visitors more evenly throughout the year and preserve the site’s integrity.
Promotion of sustainable tourism practices is also critical. This includes encouraging tourists to respect local cultures, environments, and customs, and fostering community involvement in tourism planning. Eco-labeling and certification schemes can guide travelers towards responsible choices, such as choosing eco-friendly accommodations or participating in community-based tourism projects. Costa Rica exemplifies this approach by promoting eco-tourism and conservation programs that involve local communities, ensuring that tourism benefits are shared and environmental impacts minimized (Honey, 2019).
Furthermore, diversification of tourism attractions beyond popular hotspots can alleviate pressure on overburdened sites. Destinations are increasingly promoting lesser-known areas or different types of tourism, such as cultural heritage, culinary tourism, or outdoor adventure, to spread visitation more evenly. In New Zealand, the government has developed regional tourism plans that emphasize rural and indigenous experiences, aiming to extend visitor stays and reduce congestion in major centers (New Zealand Tourism, 2020).
A notable example of addressing overtourism is in Barcelona, Spain. The city faced an influx of tourists that led to local resentment and environmental stress. To resolve this, authorities implemented measures like limiting the number of Airbnb rentals, increasing tourism taxes, and promoting alternative neighborhoods to disperse visitors (Garcia-Pellicer et al., 2020). These policies aimed to balance tourism growth with residents’ quality of life and sustainability.
Regarding the debate between quantity and quality of tourism, it is evident that focusing solely on increasing visitor numbers can lead to detrimental impacts that undermine the very attractions that draw people in the first place. “Better tourism” emphasizes creating meaningful, responsible experiences that benefit both visitors and hosts. Destinations can work towards this by prioritizing sustainable practices, community involvement, and high-quality experiences over mere visitor counts.
For example, implementing environmentally responsible guidelines, supporting local artisans and businesses, and fostering cultural exchanges can enrich tourists’ experiences and promote respectful engagement. Additionally, encouraging slower tourism, like longer stays and immersive activities, can help disperse visitors and reduce strain on popular sites. The shift from mass tourism to a more sustainable and intentional form of tourism not only preserves the destination’s integrity but also enhances tourists’ satisfaction (Douglas, 2019).
In conclusion, addressing overtourism requires a comprehensive approach that combines practical measures, policy regulations, community engagement, and a focus on quality over quantity. By adopting sustainable strategies, destinations can ensure the longevity and resilience of their cultural and natural assets while providing meaningful experiences for tourists. A paradigm shift towards “better tourism” involves rethinking what constitutes value in tourism—prioritizing sustainability, community well-being, and authentic experiences over sheer visitor numbers.
References
Douglas, N. (2019). Rethinking tourism: Towards a more sustainable model. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 27(4), 567-584.
Garcia-Pellicer, M., et al. (2020). Managing overtourism in Barcelona: Policies and residents’ perceptions. Tourism Management Perspectives, 36, 100743.
Honey, M. (2019). Ecotourism and sustainable development. Island Press.
Lahitte, H., et al. (2018). Cultural and environmental impacts of tourism at Machu Picchu. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 14(4), 321-334.
Seraphin, H., Cloutier, R., & Li, D. (2018). Over-tourism and sustainable development: Addressing the challenges of rising tourist numbers. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 8, 1-3.
New Zealand Tourism. (2020). Regional tourism development plans. New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment.
United Nations World Tourism Organization. (2019). Tourism and sustainable development goals. UNWTO Publications.
Scholz, A. (2021). Managing tourism carrying capacity in heritage sites. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management, 4(1), 12-27.
Gössling, S., et al. (2020). Tourism footprints: Environmental impacts of tourism. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 42, 38-46.
Seraphin, H., et al. (2018). Overtourism and sustainable tourism development. Annals of Tourism Research, 73, 240-254.