Overtourism has been an increasing global phenomenon in the past several years. Overtourism occurs when the volume of tourists to a place exceeds what the environment, infrastructure, and local populations can handle. Thus, instead of creating economic benefits, tourism instead imposes social, cultural, and environmental pressures on these destinations. By 2025, many countries and large cities worldwide will be faced with critical problems as a result of the increase in tourism.
Europe: A Hotspot for Overtourism
Europe is the most often mentioned continent for the issue of overtourism. The city of Venice, Italy, for example, has been notoriously inundated with the millions of visitors each year. The canal city's small streets are consistently clogged, while giant cruise ships exacerbate environmental damage. The local government eventually imposed on tourists a daily entry fee and banned large cruise ships from docking near the city center.The identical phenomenon occurred in the Balearic Islands and Barcelona, Spain. The increasing tourist numbers spurred massive protests by residents. They claimed that the cost of living was rising, housing was becoming unaffordable due to the proliferation of short-term rentals, and the environment was getting harmed. The Spanish government is already in the process of drafting stricter regulations to limit the number of tourists.In Amsterdam, Netherlands, the government even halted tourism promotion because the city was "overcrowded." Apart from limiting housing rentals to tourists, they also reduced the number of low-cost airlines and reined in nightlife activities.
Asia: Bali to Kyoto Under Pressure
The phenomenon of overtourism is not limited to Europe. In Asia, Bali is being besieged. While the influx of tourists brings economic boom, it also takes its toll on traffic, plastic waste, and the desecration of sacred places. The Indonesian government is already imposing an environmental tax or "Green Fee" on foreign tourists and shutting off several sacred places.Japan is experiencing similar pressures. Its most famous locations, including Kyoto, Mount Fuji, and Fushimi Inari Shrine, are now congested, and there have been complaints from locals who feel disturbed. The Japanese government has begun experimenting with visitor reservation systems and daily quotas to maintain balance.Simultaneously, countries like the Philippines and Thailand have even closed off major tourist attractions temporarily. Maya Bay in Thailand and the Philippines' Boracay were closed for a period to allow ecosystems to recover after they were devastated by mass tourism.
America and the Himalayas: Nature Under Threat
In South America, Machu Picchu in Peru has started to implement a daily quota system and is requiring tour guides. This is to prevent damage to the UNESCO World Heritage site.By contrast, Nepal's Mount Everest is a grim example of mountain overtourism. Thousands of trekkers who wish to ascend to the summit have created dangerously long queues, piles of trash, and pollution. The Nepalese government has begun to limit climbing permits to foster safety and environmental sustainability.
Sustaining Balance
The phenomenon of overtourism attests that tourism, for all its economic benefits, must be managed. Solutions are now being sought by numerous countries, ranging from visitor limits, admission fees, to sustainable tourism initiatives. Beyond tourist attraction, the foremost challenge lies in striking a balance between economic priorities, environmental sustainability, and community welfare.If not managed properly, favorite tourist destinations lose their appeal or are even devastated permanently. Therefore, the future of tourism must go in the way of sustainable tourism, wherein tourists, governments, and local populations all work together in unison to preserve the world's beauty for future generations.
