Too often a postcard-perfect destination with its famous sights and streets is hopelessly swamped with visitors. That’s overtourism. It’s more than just a crowd; it’s when excessive tourism starts eroding the very things that drew people there in the first place. Overtourism harms local communities, strains the environment, and even lessens the experience for travelers themselves. We must break down the problem and identify the overtourism solutions we can employ to protect the destinations we all seek to explore.
In the age of social media where a photogenic spot can become the next bucket list destination overnight, and budget flights are making international travel more affordable, the complexities of tourism impacts have never been greater.
While many destinations rely on foreign visitors to bring in money and opportunities, there are quite a few places that are facing the detrimental impacts of having too many tourists, and the number is growing.
The significant problems for the local people, environment, and culture are the foundation of the necessary conversation about overtourism. At what point does standard tourism tip the scales into being the problematic situation of overtourism? How many visitors are too many? Let’s break down this complex topic and identify actions we can all employ today.
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Tourism vs. Overtourism
Tourism can be a great thing; it brings wealth to rural communities, enacts protections for our natural world, and revitalizes crumbling architecture. However, it is naive to think that all tourism is good. Although many regions rely on the income that is brought in from tourism, others are banding together to curb the influx of travelers by imposing taxes, limitations, and protests.
During the pandemic, the tourism sector was among the hardest hit. This is especially true for island nations like the Maldives and Antigua & Barbuda, which respectively account for 55%-68% of their annual GDP from tourism according to the UN Tourism (previously known as the UNWTO).
While many nations are craving more visitors to bring in their external money, others are doing everything they can to stop it. These are the ones that experience overtourism. It is a seasonal issue that disproportionately impacts a few destinations. According to the UN Tourism, over 80% of global travelers visit just 10% of the world’s tourist destinations.
While there is no definitive figure or threshold to define overtourism, in its essence, it is too many people in a place at any given time. Since ‘too many’ is hardly explicit that makes managing and regulating tourism numbers even more complicated.
The Problem of Overtourism
While there are many benefits of tourism there is a tipping point when tourism becomes detrimental. Massive crowds filled with short-term travelers lead to local disruption and environmental degradation. Although the term was only coined in 2016, overtourism is not a new problem.
Especially as travelers have been itching to explore again post-pandemic, the destinations may not have been ready for the crowds of people flocking to the main attractions. The systems in these places just simply were not designed to bear this amount of use. Roads get backed up with traffic, residents get priced out of their homes in favor of hotels, and garbage cannot be effectively collected and disposed of.
I’ve seen it myself – even in the middle of winter while visiting the idyllic town of Hallstatt in Upper Austria, tour buses came by the dozens. A town with a consistent population of 800 residents can see upwards of 10,000 visitors per day. This is one example of many places that have been reshaped by the tourism industry and the swarms of pushy travelers with selfie sticks.
As governing bodies, local regulation, and shifting social patterns reshape the tourism industry, we as travelers have a part to play in the solution. We have the choice to prioritize the principles of responsible travel and eco-tourism, to stimulate a more sustainable travel lifestyle for ourselves and the places we visit.
Overtourism Solutions for Travelers
1. Travel in Off-Peak or Shoulder Seasons
Avoiding peak season, when most other tourists visit a place, is the best way to help curb overtourism. Think of it as flattening the curve. Peak season traveling often contributes to an unstable economy in destinations – many vendors and local businesses open up to support the influx of tourism, only to have to close for a part of the year since there isn’t enough business to sustain.
By traveling in the off-season or shoulder season, you help sustain the tourism sector year-round in a more sustainable way without contributing to the over-populated times of the year.
Not only does this support the local economy, but you’re almost guaranteed to have a better experience when you’re not in massive tourist crowds. You get to enjoy some of the highlights without hundreds (if not thousands) of other people, creating a more authentic and memorable experience!
2. Travel Slowly
Slow travel isn’t about the amount of time you spend somewhere, because, in reality, that’s just not a luxury everyone can afford. Traveling slowly is about the pace at which you move when you are in a new location.
Fast travel is quick, always thinking about the next destination to make sure you see the sights. It has a packed itinerary without enough space to take opportunities to be in the moment, and frankly, not enough time for sleep!
Slow travel has changed my life for the better. It has allowed me to seek unique and enriching experiences, not because of how great of a photo it will be, or to get a quick thrill, but because it allows to me take in everything in between. It allows for long and spontaneous conversations with locals and exploring dirt roads that no other traveler has explored in a while. Not to mention also taking the time to relax and rejuvenate!
3. Support Local Business
No matter where you’re traveling, supporting locals is essential. If you’re going all the way to a beautiful new destination, just to get a Starbucks coffee, you’re missing out big time. For tourism to be sustainable, it has to support the local economy – not a major corporation profiting 1,000 km away.
This is also in your best interest! Some of the best experiences I’ve had have come from talking to locals in their small restaurant on the outskirts of town. If you travel to experience a new way of life, you have to put yourself in the local experience and get out of your comfort zone.
During a trip to Bali in 2023, we went to a local restaurant on Lake Batur – Rejeng Bali. We met the owner, JB, a local who shared his personal and community struggles after the pandemic. As foreign businesses opened in nearby Kintamani, he has lost a lot of customers and shares his thoughts about the impacts and essential role of travelers;
I wish people would take more time to talk to locals and experience our way of life. Bali is so beautiful with so much culture that we want to share. I hope travelers know that their choices impact us. We have so much more to offer than a chain resort that only care about money.
4. Support Responsible Tourism
On the note of where you spend your money, that is especially true of supporting responsible tourism. While supporting locals is great, I can’t say that every local business owner has good intentions and education in what is beneficial vs impactful. Sometimes, they just see a way to capitalize on the needs of wealthy travelers suddenly flooding into their homes. Sometimes, local ‘guides’ will cut corners and disrespect local culture or environment to give tourists what they want at a great price.
If there isn’t a willing group of buyers for a product or experience, then there won’t be a lucrative business for the sellers. Put your money into ethical experiences and products that enrich the local area rather than exploit it.
5. Get off the Beaten Path
I can almost guarantee, that once a place is listed on a “top Instagrammable locations’ list, it will fall victim to overtourism in some way. Look at Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida – thousands of people go there a day to take the same exact photo, meanwhile, the nearby Guaynagan waterfall is wayyy better with no people!
The world is so big and beautiful, that just because you haven’t seen a location pop up constantly on your social feed, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth visiting. I mean, who wouldn’t choose an empty, quiet viewpoint that nobody has heard of, vs. standing in line to get ‘the shot’?
If you disagree, spend some time thinking about whether you’re traveling for you, or other people’s perception of you.
6. Volunteering Abroad
Volunteering abroad, sometimes called ‘volunteerism’ is another way to leave a positive impact. By doing some research into the problems impacting an area, you can join the efforts to creating a sustainable solution.
It is important to note that not all volunteering abroad is beneficial. Many organizations prioritize the volunteer’s experience over the local’s needs. It is vital that any program you work with puts locals first and does not offer ‘volunteering’ as a tourist experience, but rather as a necessary solution that needs more hand on help.
While in Southeast Asia, I love working with Trash Hero to help clean beaches alongside the locals. This directly helps reduce a problem, while also showing other travelers that we can be a part of the solution.
7. Leave No Trace
Overtourism has a massive impact on the local systems like waste disposal. Systems are built to support the current population of a place, so when suddenly a few extra thousand people show up, that can put a lot of stress on local waste disposal, energy production, water supplies, food supplies, and transportation.
The United National Environment Programme estimates 4.8 billion tonnes of trash comes from tourism. Constant meals out, and quick hospitality for your comfort that is sanitary leads to an excessive use of single-use plastics. And in areas of overtourism, they often can’t handle all of the extra waste.
8. Embrace Local Culture
Travel doesn’t need to be a form of escapism, it can be a way to connect with something new. It is very easy to sink into our habits, especially when we are ina—foregin place. However, travel is a way to open the doors to what else exists, and allows you a fresh perspective on this human experience.
As fun as a zipline tour or massage can be (don’t get me wrong, I love a good massage), you miss out on that deeper experience. Seek unique experiences, and what makes a culture unique. From a cooking class with a local, a ceremony or traditional dance, or seeking a homestay accommodation, you open yourself to what exists beneath the surface of tourism.
9. Respect the Environment
Environmental degradation runs rampant with tourism. Take a look at Mount Everest for example. It is officially the world’s tallest garbage dump causing local water pollution and ecosystem damage. Trash left behind from decades of climbers is polluting the environment, while the trek to base camp has been so h
Diving destinations like Koh Tao have a strict no-fin policy since too many tourists haphazardly kick the fragile aquatic life. Responsible diving is something that many coastal regions struggle with, yet it is so vital to uphold.
10. Be an Advocate!
In this world where everyone is sharing what they do online, you have a role to also share the ethical and low-impact adventures you have! The travel bug starts with inspiration, and you can help inspire others to travel more consciously and be mindful about their choices.
Rather than sharing how to get ‘the shot’, let’s start sharing more hidden gems, off-the beaten path destinations, and low impact travel style that embraces the local people and environment rather than exploiting them.
Overtourism Solutions for Organizations
Tourist Tax
Many areas that are getting impacted by over-tourism are imposing a tourist tax. This money helps offset the impact that visiting from abroad puts on the local economy. For example, Venice’s crowded city center is now charging a €5/day tax on weekends and peak summer months for any visitors.
You may experience a tourist tax on your next vacation. Instead of being pissed off that your trip costs even more, think about how you being there isn’t always the best for the area, and that tax is necessary to offset the impact you make.
Local Preference
Another great way that regions are helping to combat the impacts of overtourism is by giving preferential treatment to locals. Typically, a touristy destination can charge higher prices, since the people coming to visit have more money to spend. However, that can negatively impact the locals who suddenly get priced out of their homes and the historical places that are culturally significant to them.
For example in Barcelona’s famous Park Güell, locals are guaranteed free access!
Off-Peak Incentivization
My favorite way that regions and organizations help combat over-tourism is by incentivizing off-peak travel. Almost always, excursions, entry tickets, and transport are much cheaper in the off-season, sometimes even free!
Off-season travel is the best – not just for the local area, but also for the traveler. Fewer crowds and more authentic experiences are amazing, and the monetary incentivization is a bonus.
Tourist Limitations
Regions that face overtourism have been setting limits and restrictions for tourists in many ways. This can be in terms of a cap on how many people can enter a site per day, or agreements with foreign agencies to enter at all. For example, many port destinations are restricting cruise ship ports, which bring in millions of people for 1/2 a day, and release a lot of emissions, just to leave shortly after.
The historic city of Venice has banned cruise ship porting altogether, with petitions from Barcelona, Marseille, Dubrovnik, and many other Mediterranean destinations as well.
Foreign Investment Limitations
In the continuous effort to allow tourist destinations to thrive, many regions also have strict limitations for foreign investment. This enforces that any business or investment has some local ownership and benefit, rather than western investors capitalizing on a foreign place.
For example in Bali, in most cases foreign people cannot own land on the island. They can only purchase a leasehold, allowing them to lease the property for a set amount of time, usually 25-40 years, before returning it to the origial owner (private villa and all). This ensures locals are not completely bought out of their land, and can even capitalize on foreign investment.
Summary - Overtourism Solutions
It is so impactful as a traveler to realize that our choices can make a difference. Where we go, the accommodations we choose, how we get around, and the activities we do signal what travelers want.
There are so many decisions to make, and by being mindful of the excursions we support, and when we plan to travel, we can help combat the harmful effects of overtourism. The internet inspires a lot of travel dreams, let’s redefine what is shared to include the conversation about ethical, low-impact, slow travel that prioritizes the local experience and environmental conservation.
What overtourism solutions can you implement?
