Overtourism: How Are Countries Protecting Themselves From The Negative Impacts
Overtourism across the globe has become a significant issue, affecting both residents and the environment. Popular destinations like Venice, Barcelona, and Dubrovnik are struggling to manage the influx of tourists. This surge in visitors has led to overcrowding, environmental degradation, and a decline in the quality of life for locals.
The rise of budget airlines and short-term rental platforms has made travel more accessible, contributing to the problem. Cities are now implementing measures to control tourist numbers. For instance, Venice has introduced a tourist tax, while Barcelona is limiting new hotel developments.
Many popular European destinations are shifting from inviting tourists to discouraging them due to issues like housing shortages, traffic, noise, pollution, and litter. Some measures to deter visitors are quite stringent.
What is Overtourism?
While countries generally look upon tourism as a blessing considering that it benefits not only their economic output but also their general image and reputation around the globe, there is such a thing as too much tourism. Overtourism is when the negative effects of tourism begin outweighing the economic benefits it brings along.
When there is a huge influx of tourists for extended periods of time, it increases the costs of goods and living expenses, degrades historic sites, and affects the lives of residents in these cities. Overtourism makes life for those of the city quite difficult in many ways. In some instances, it destroys or scares away native wildlife and increases crowding and traffic, making logistics difficult in smaller cities.
How can we stop Overtourism? It's not always that simple. But here are how some countries are looking out to preserve the natural state and well-being of their countries from the onslaught of "too much" tourism.
New Zealand
New Zealand is set to triple its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) from NZ$35 ($22) to NZ$100 ($62) starting October 1, 2024. This hike will make visiting the country's lakes, mountains, bike trails, and wineries more costly.
"International tourism also comes with costs to local communities, including additional pressure on regional infrastructure and higher upkeep and maintenance costs across our conservation estate," stated Matt Doocey, New Zealand's Minister for Hospitality and Tourism.
The IVL was first introduced in 2019 to help fund environmental protection efforts across New Zealand. The levy aims to mitigate the impact of tourism on the country's natural resources by covering various conservation expenses.
Between March 2023 and March 2024, international tourists spent over $11 billion in New Zealand. This significant expenditure underscores the importance of maintaining the country's infrastructure and natural beauty.
Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
In Amsterdam, the city has voted to ban cruise ships from its main port. This is part of a broader "discouragement campaign" that includes banning outdoor smoking of recreational drugs in the red-light district. Digital and poster campaigns also target young British men, urging them to "stay away."
Japan
Japanese authorities are set to install a large barrier at a popular Mount Fuji photo spot, frustrated by the behavior of unruly foreign tourists. The 2.5-meter (8-foot) high mesh net, spanning 20 meters (the length of a cricket pitch), will begin construction as early as next week, according to an official from Fujikawaguchiko town.
This is Japan's latest move to combat over-tourism, following Kyoto’s recent ban on visitors in the private alleys of its historic geisha district.
Italy
Italy has taken several steps to manage tourist crowds. Large cruise ships are banned from Venice's historic lagoon since 2021. Rome has restricted access to the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps and started charging entry fees for the Pantheon.
Florence has banned new short-term private vacation rentals in its historic center since June. In Portofino, fines up to €275 discourage tourists from lingering for selfies in "no-waiting zones."
The World Tourism Organization predicts that international tourist numbers will exceed two billion by the end of this decade. Local and national governments are under pressure to find solutions to mass tourism.
France
Nice on the French Riviera installed giant rat traps as street art at tourist hotspots. These traps aim to symbolically "eradicate" excessive tourism using a giant ice cream as bait.
A government plan was unveiled last month to better regulate tourist flows and support local authorities facing surges in visitor numbers. A €1 million campaign will launch in March 2024 to encourage tourists to adapt their destination choices and schedules.
Spain
Santiago de Compostela plans a tourist tax to combat over-tourism, with more than 300,000 tourists visiting annually. Local officials also plan controls on tourist numbers in the city's historic center.
Mallorca faces anti-tourist protests due to near-naked tourists wandering around shops and streets. Bylaws now forbid walking "naked or half-naked" through certain areas.
In Ibiza, activists targeted a €300 million super-yacht owned by Nancy Walton Laurie with red paint. They also vandalized other luxury items like a Lamborghini and private jet.
Croatia
Dubrovnik launched a "Respect the City" campaign including luggage drop-off points to reduce noise from wheeled suitcases on cobbled streets. New measures also ban sleeping in public areas, urinating in public spaces, climbing monuments, drunk behavior, drinking alcohol near protected spaces, and drug-related offenses.
Portugal
In Portugal, playing loud music at popular beaches can result in fines ranging from €200 to €36,000. The Algarve coast alone sees over one million mainly British tourists during peak season.
Bans include unauthorized ball games, camping outside campsites, fishing in bathing areas, and low-altitude aircraft overflights except for surveillance or rescue operations.
The Impact on Tourists
The influx of tourists has made some destinations unlivable for locals and overcrowded for visitors. Long queues for attractions like Athens' Acropolis or Rome's main train station are common. Museums often require reservations months in advance due to crowding. Even then, it's hard to appreciate exhibits because of the number of people present.
Around Europe, especially in popular cities and towns, locals express frustration with overtourism's destructive effects. Venice introduced an entrance fee ranging from €3 to €10 for access to manage crowds.
"Tourists are waiting more than two hours to visit the Acropolis in Athens," AP reported recently. Taxi lines at Rome’s main train station run just as long." The debate on handling tourist overflows has begun but hasn't reached official EU government levels yet. Tremendous tourist numbers once seen as beneficial are now causing backlash.
While tourism brings economic benefits and cultural exchange opportunities, overtourism poses significant challenges for tourists. From reduced enjoyment and higher costs to strained infrastructure and environmental damage, the negative impacts are manifold. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders involved in the tourism industry.
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