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IN 2019, THERE WERE FOUR TOURISTS FOR EVERY INHABITANT
Spain, among the European destinations most exposed to overtourism in summer

Our country, with a score of 3.6 out of 5, leads, together with Italy, France and Portugal, the ranking of overtourism in European destinations by Evaneos and Roland Berger during the months of June, July and August.

Promoting destinations in spring and autumn is key
NEXOTUR | Wednesday 11 September 2024, 07:00h

In recent months, overcrowding has been one of the most present topics of debate among the Spanish population, so much so that there have been several consecutive demonstrations against it. Faced with this problem, the sustainable travel platform Evaneos and the consultancy Roland Berger have presented the 'Overtourism Index', which analyses 70 of the most frequented holiday destinations in the world to assess their level of exposure to visitors. To measure the degree of exposure to overtourism, each destination is scored from 1 to 5 based on four objective criteria: the density of tourists per inhabitant, the density of tourists per km², seasonality and the maturity of the host country in terms of sustainability.
Among the destinations studied, the impact of overtourism is divided into three main categories: that which affects the major European destinations in summer, coastal destinations and urban destinations. In the first case, the report points out that, although these can accommodate a high density of tourists, they endure a particularly high flow during this period. Specifically, up to 43% of visitor arrivals are concentrated in the third quarter in these countries. Spain, with a score of 3.6 out of 5, leads, together with Italy, France and Portugal, the ranking of overtourism in European destinations during the summer period, which means that it is among the most exposed destinations during June, July and August.
"These destinations need to first implement measures to de-seasonalise arrivals by promoting these destinations in spring or autumn, which would allow for a better distribution of tourists over time," explains Aurélie Sandler, co-CEO of Evaneos. This would require raising travellers' awareness of the problem of overtourism and for tourism stakeholders to act with offers that are more sensitive to seasonal pressure. "It is perfectly possible to visit Spain in April or September and enjoy a more pleasant climate and a more comfortable trip with less tourist pressure," says Sandler.

In the specific case of Spain, in 2019 the country welcomed some 78 million tourists in a year that contributed 9% of the GDP. In this sense, there were a total of four international tourists per inhabitant, and 156 tourists of this type per km2, a more than considerable volume. In addition, 41% of visitors choose the summer to come to Spain, which would mean “an excessively high level of seasonal concentration”, while the country's maturity in terms of sustainability remains considerably below the pass mark (2 out of 5), according to this study. It should be noted that the figure expected for 2024 far exceeds that of 2019, in this case a total of 91 million international tourists are expected. Coastal and urban tourism
Continuing with the other categories, coastal tourism is the most exposed to overtourism with an average index of 4 on a scale of 5. The cause is a particularly high rate of tourist arrivals (from 3.2 to 9.9 tourists per inhabitant) in relatively small (1,600 to 8,000 tourists per km²) and fragile host territories. Among the affected countries are Cyprus (4.4), Mauritius (4.2), Greece (4) and Croatia (3.8).
Finally, they highlight that excessive urban tourism affects European capitals above all. And although these destinations are more mature in terms of sustainability and less economically dependent on tourism than others (5% of GDP on average), capitals and cities concentrate up to 37% of arrivals in the third quarter and their average score is 2.6/5. In the top 3 are Copenhagen with a rating of 3.8, followed by Amsterdam with 3.7 and Dublin with 3.4.

The dilemma of overtourism returns to the streets of Europe with the start of spring
European cities are struggling to regulate one of their main economic activities, which accounts for around 10% of the GDP of the entire European Union and which by 2033 could provide work for more than 26 million people.


The crossroads of overtourism are back on the streets of the Old Continent, which in 2023 exceeded the number of stays prior to the coronavirus pandemic. The situation is complex: on the one hand, this activity represents around 10% of the GDP of the European Union and generates some 23 million jobs; on the other hand, the excess of visitors deteriorates the quality of life of some permanent residents and can unbalance the prices of local rents, products and services.

Already at the beginning of 2019, the European Parliament commissioned an investigation into the phenomenon of “overtourism”. At that time, the study described it as “the situation in which the impact of tourism, at certain times and in certain places, exceeds the thresholds of physical, ecological, social, economic, psychological and/or political capacity”. Among other things, the aforementioned analysis concluded that member countries should focus less on the tourism management strategies of destinations and more on the volume of visitors. Brussels' response to this problem has been the creation of the "transition pathway for tourism" which lays the foundations for promoting sustainability in the sector and which includes various legislative projects.

In a local context, today one of the most common measures to offset the impact of tourism is tourist taxes; which are already present in European cities such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Lisbon, Rome, Paris, Vienna and Venice. These rates, which must be paid when spending a night in a hotel, are usually below 10 euros. That said, recently regions such as the Valencian Community and Andalusia have discussed imposing this type of charge, while in destinations with high tourist traffic such as Catalonia and the Balearic Islands they are already applied.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) hopes that Europe will once again show positive results in this sector in 2024. "In March, Romania and Bulgaria will join the Schengen free movement area, and Paris will host the Summer Olympic Games in July and August," they highlight. Likewise, CaixaBank Research anticipates that international tourist arrivals to Spain will increase by 3.8% in 2024, with an increase in American and British tourists.

That said, experts agree that lodging-induced tourism can cause disruption and changes in city activities, making them less attractive to residents. “The potential impact of hotel openings on the real estate market can further reshape the economic landscape, affecting companies differently depending on their business structure. In this sense, individually owned companies, which lack shared resources, may be more sensitive to rising land rental prices, as their fixed operating costs make them vulnerable to financial challenges,” explains researcher Alberto Hidalgo in a report for the Foundation for Applied Economic Studies (Fedea), published in February.

Concentration
Specifically, tourists are spending more time in European cities. The latest Eurostat figures show that after three years with a “significantly lower” share of visitors, 2023 marked a return to pre-pandemic volumes, with 2.92 billion nights spent by guests in EU accommodation. According to the European statistical agency, this represents an increase of 1.4% compared to the volume of nights spent in 2019, and an increase of 6.1% compared to 2022.

46% of these nights in 2023 corresponded to stays by foreign tourists. In terms of composition, according to the most recent Eurostat data, the majority of these types of holidaymakers in 2022 came from within the EU (around 65% of the total). Specifically, 23% of the total international nights in tourist accommodation corresponded to German visitors, followed by French and Italian visitors (with 5.7% and 3.4% respectively). Travellers from non-EU European countries (e.g. the UK) accounted for a further 21.6%, while North Americans accounted for 5.9% and Asians for 3.5%. South Americans and the rest of the world accounted for the remaining 3.2% that year.


The distribution of tourists is uneven, Bali does not have overtourism

Written by  borgias zaman




VOInews, Jakarta: It is not true that Bali has overtourism as reported by foreign media. This was conveyed by Senior Expert on Tourism and Creative Economy Nia Niscaya at a press conference in Jakarta, Monday (29/4).

Nia said that according to statistical data, foreign tourist visits to Bali in 2019 were recorded at 6.3 million, while in 2023 there were 5.2 million visits.

Meanwhile, domestic tourist visits to Bali in 2019 were recorded at 10.5 million, while in 2023 they were recorded at 9.8 million.

According to Nia, these data show that tourism in Bali has not yet fully recovered as before the pandemic. She stated that Bali does not have overtourism. What happens is that tourists are concentrated in South Bali.

“So from a statistical perspective, it doesn’t seem like it’s overtourism, but maybe there is a distribution factor that is concentrated in the south,” said Nia Niscaya.

In line with Nia Niscaya, the head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, stated that tourists are more concentrated in South Bali.

Therefore, the Bali Provincial Tourism Office will carry out an equal distribution by preparing Travel Patterns, so that tourists can be distributed to North Bali, West Bali, East Bali.

Apart from that, the Bali Provincial Government will also improve tourist destinations, infrastructure and accessibility outside the South Bali area. (Dor)

Overtourism in Summer 2024: Challenges and Solutions
Summer 2024 has seen a significant resurgence in travel. People around the world are enthusiastically resuming their explorations after years of pandemic-related restrictions. However, this tourism boom has brought with it the pressing problem of overtourism, where the influx of visitors outstrips the ability of destinations to sustainably manage them. This phenomenon poses considerable challenges to popular tourist locations, affecting local communities, the environment and visitor experiences.

European locations under pressure
One of the hardest hit regions this summer has been Europe. The old continent is known for its historic cities, cultural landmarks and picturesque landscapes. Destinations such as Venice, Barcelona and Dubrovnik have experienced an overwhelming influx of tourists, leading to severe overcrowding. Venice, for example, has put in place measures such as an entry fee to control tourist numbers and mitigate the impact on its fragile ecosystem and local infrastructure. Similarly, Barcelona has stepped up its efforts to manage tourist flows, including stricter regulations on short-term rentals and promoting lesser-known attractions to distribute visitors more evenly.

Challenges in Asia’s most popular destinations
In Asia, places like Bali and Phuket have also had to deal with overtourism. Bali, famous for its quiet beaches and vibrant culture, has seen a dramatic increase in tourists, leading to traffic congestion, pollution and pressure on local resources. The Balinese government has responded by promoting sustainable tourism practices and encouraging visitors to explore alternative regions within the island. Phuket, another popular destination, is facing similar problems, prompting local authorities to step up environmental conservation efforts and improve waste management systems.

Environmental impact of overtourism
The environmental impact of overtourism is profound. Natural attractions, including national parks and marine reserves, are threatened by excessive foot traffic, litter and habitat destruction. For example, Thailand’s Maya Bay, made popular by the film “The Beach,” was closed to tourists for several years to allow its damaged ecosystem to recover. The reopening in 2024 is closely monitored, with strict control of visitor numbers to prevent further degradation.

Impact on local communities
Local communities also bear the brunt of overtourism. The influx of visitors often leads to increased costs of living, displacement of residents due to the proliferation of tourist accommodation, and erosion of cultural heritage. In response, some destinations are fostering community-based tourism initiatives that prioritize local participation and benefit sharing, ensuring that tourism growth is sustainable and inclusive.


Strategies to combat overtourism
Cities and countries can tackle overtourism through a variety of strategies that balance the needs of tourists, local communities and the environment. Here are several effective approaches:

1. Setting visitor limits
Setting limits on the number of visitors to certain places can help manage overcrowding and reduce environmental stress. As in the example of Venice.

2. Promoting off-season travel
Encouraging tourists to visit places outside of peak season can help spread visitor influx more evenly throughout the year.

3. Diversifying tourist attractions
Developing and promoting lesser-known attractions can help spread tourist traffic over a wider area. For example, Barcelona has promoted attractions outside the city centre to better distribute visitor numbers.

4. Regulating short-term rentals
Cities such as Barcelona and Amsterdam have introduced regulations on short-term rentals to ensure housing is available for residents and manage tourist numbers.

5. Improve infrastructure
Improving infrastructure to cope with increased numbers of tourists can mitigate some of the negative effects of overtourism. This includes expanding public transport, building additional tourist facilities and improving waste management systems to accommodate increased numbers of visitors.

6. Implement sustainable tourism practices
Promoting sustainable tourism practices among tourists and businesses is crucial. This can include encouraging green travel options, reducing waste, conserving water and protecting local wildlife and habitats.

7. Involve local communities
Involving local communities in tourism planning ensures that their needs and concerns are taken into account. Community-based tourism initiatives can help distribute economic benefits more equitably and foster a sense of ownership among residents.

Conclusión

As the world continues to once again embrace travel, it is imperative to adopt sustainable practices to preserve the very destinations that attract tourists. By striking a balance between welcoming visitors and protecting the environment and local communities, we can ensure that tourism remains a positive force for all.

Bali mulls banning new hotels amid overtourism concerns

By Reuters
05:08 ET (09:08 GMT) September 10, 2024

Indonesia has agreed to a moratorium on building hotels, villas and nightclubs in some areas of the tourist island of Bali as it grapples with overexploitation of land, a senior ministry official said on September 9.

The moratorium is part of the government's attempt to overhaul tourism in Bali, one of Indonesia's top attractions, to try to boost quality and employment while preserving the island's indigenous culture.

Hermin Esti, a senior official at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, told Reuters the government had agreed to the moratorium, although the exact timetable was still being discussed.

On Saturday, Bali's acting governor, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, said he had suggested to the central government the moratorium in four of Bali's busiest areas, targeting excessive development for commercial purposes such as hotels, villas and beach clubs.

Why locals are revolting against tourists
The governor's office and Indonesia's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.

Minister Luhut Pandjaitan, quoted by news website Detik on Sept. 8, said the moratorium could be extended to up to ten years.

Luhut had previously stated that about 200,000 foreigners currently live in Bali, contributing to problems such as crime, overdevelopment and competition for jobs.

Foreign arrivals in Bali have skyrocketed since its reopening to tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic. Videos of misbehaving tourists often go viral, angering residents and prompting harsh responses from social media users in Indonesia.

Government figures show that 2.9 million foreign visitors arrived via Bali airport in the first half of the year, accounting for 65% of total foreign arrivals to Indonesia by air.

Figures show there were 541 hotels in Bali last year, up from 507 in 2019.

Europe on alert over “overtourism”
In cities such as Venice, Barcelona, ??Lisbon and Amsterdam, “overtourism” is affecting the quality of life of local residents. Mass tourism is generating tensions due to rising rents, unaffordable housing prices and unequal income distribution. How can a sustainable balance be found?


It's the holiday season and in several European cities that are particularly popular with tourists, residents are protesting. The reason? Overtourism, a phenomenon that is changing the quality of life of natives and residents of tourist cities. In Venice, some have even taken up flats in recent years. They feel that their city is overrun by tourism and they have nowhere to stay.

Almost 49,000 people still live permanently in the historic centre. According to various estimates, Venice receives more than 20 million visitors a year. The daily life of some is the backdrop to the holiday experiences of others.

Europe is the continent with the most international tourists, and Venice is not the only European city suffering from the massive influx of visitors.

There are more and more reports of protests in Barcelona and other Spanish cities. In Lisbon, Prague and Amsterdam, too, mass tourism is causing increasing tensions between travellers and the local population.

The reasons are similar everywhere: rising rents, skyrocketing housing prices and the question of who can consume how many resources.

Tourism as a source of income
Tourism is the main source of income for many of these cities and regions. In the European Union (EU), tourism accounts for around ten percent of economic output. According to EU estimates, the sector employs around 12.3 million people.

“These are abstract figures,” says Sebastian Zenker from Copenhagen Business School (CBS). According to Zenker, local residents gain nothing from the income if rents rise at the same time, residential properties become unaffordable for residents or restaurants charge prices that only tourists can afford. According to the tourism researcher, there has to be a balance perceived by residents.

Although many people earn money from tourism, “only very few can make a good living from it,” Zenker said in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW). Another problem is that wages are often too low. In Italy there is no legal minimum wage, in Portugal it is EUR 4.85 and in Spain EUR 6.87.

All stakeholders are aware that they want tourists. The question is how and what kind of tourism.”

Sebastian Zenker, tourism researcher
A question of distribution
So where does the money spent by all the travellers in the Mediterranean countries go? A lot of it is generated by the airline industry, large hotel chains, international companies and the cruise industry, explains Paul Peeters. Peeters researches sustainable tourism and transport at the University of Breda in the Netherlands.

When calculating cash flows, the decisive factor is who travels and how. Cruise tourists sleep and eat on board. Package tourists who book flights, hotels and meals through large providers also spend little money on site.

But at the same time they contribute to air pollution and water consumption, burdens borne by the inhabitants of the destination regions. This exacerbates inequality and further fuels tensions between locals and tourists.

“All stakeholders are aware that they want tourists. The question is how and what kind of tourism,” says Copenhagen-based tourism researcher Zenker.


Decommodification, regulations, bans
There are initial political approaches. In Amsterdam, for example, new hotels are no longer permitted to be built. The city has also tried to control party and drug tourism with specific demarketing measures.

“Decommodification” refers to advertising strategies that aim to reduce demand for a product – in this case, the city of Amsterdam – among certain target groups.

In Lisbon and Palma de Mallorca, the rental market has long since abandoned the needs and economic realities of residents. Initial measures include not granting new licenses for rentals through online platforms such as Airbnb and, in the case of Palma, imposing time limits on tourist rentals of homes.

Barcelona is taking even more drastic measures: The Catalan city has announced that it will allow the tourist rental licenses of around 10,000 tourist apartments to expire in 2028. The aim is to relieve pressure on the property market. Rents in the city have risen by more than 60% in the last ten years.

Ways to combat overtourism: Increased restrictions and fees for cruise ships
A ban on large cruise ships docking in tourist city ports has been in place in Venice since 2021, and Amsterdam plans to do the same from 2026. This should not only reduce tourist crowds, but also air pollution.

High-quality tourism: but for whom?
Like Amsterdam, Mallorca also wants to move away from its party image. The aim is to attract fewer tourists overall, but who spend more money. In industry jargon, this is called high-quality tourism. But is that the solution to overtourism?

No, says Macià Blázquez-Salom. The Spaniard is a resident of Palma de Mallorca, a geography teacher and activist. Focusing on luxury tourism would only exacerbate inequality.

“Party and beach tourism is limited to specific places, it works like a factory, so to speak,” Blázquez-Salom told DW. The direct impact is therefore limited to a relatively small number of communities.

Economically better-off tourists, on the other hand, have higher expectations, consume more water, tend to take more short trips and, if in doubt, have the capital to buy property. “This drives real estate speculation,” says Macià Blázquez-Salom. “In this sense, these tourists directly intervene in the lives of all residents.”


MEXICO

Overtourism in Mexico is a growing phenomenon, especially in regions with high demand for national and international visitors. This problem has profound social, economic and environmental implications, impacting both local communities and fragile ecosystems. Below is a detailed analysis of this phenomenon in the Mexican context, covering multiple key aspects:

1. Destinations Affected by Overtourism

The areas most affected by overtourism in Mexico include:

Riviera Maya (Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen): High tourist demand in the region has led to an excessive growth in the construction of resorts, restaurants and other tourist infrastructure. Archaeological sites such as Tulum and Chichén Itzá suffer from an overload of visitors that deteriorates the structures and the cultural experience.

Mexico City: While not facing extreme saturation as in coastal areas, the increase in tourism in neighborhoods such as La Condesa and Roma has generated gentrification, displacing local inhabitants.

Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos: Beach destinations that have experienced massive tourism growth, putting pressure on water and energy resources and the capacity of urban infrastructure.

Oaxaca and San Cristóbal de las Casas: These cultural and ecological destinations have also begun to experience problems related to excess tourists, such as erosion of nature trails, increased solid waste, and pressure on indigenous communities.

2. Environmental Impact

Overtourism in Mexico has had serious environmental consequences, especially in areas with delicate ecosystems. Some of the most notable impacts include:

Degradation of marine and coastal ecosystems: Excessive development on the coast and the construction of tourist infrastructure in coastal areas has affected mangroves, coral reefs, and turtle nesting areas. Mass tourism also contributes to coral bleaching from activities such as diving and boat anchoring.

Pollution of cenotes and freshwater sources: In the Riviera Maya, the influx of tourists has contaminated cenotes with chemicals (sunscreen, trash) and poorly managed wastewater, affecting underground communities and endemic species.

Excessive water and energy consumption: Resorts and hotels require large amounts of water and electricity, which can lead to shortages for local communities. In places like Baja California Sur, where water resources are limited, this creates tensions between the needs of residents and the demands of tourism.

3. Social and Economic Impact

In social terms, overtourism has generated gentrification processes in urban and rural areas. The demand for tourist properties has increased housing prices, forcing locals to move to peripheral areas. This phenomenon is evident in places like Tulum and San Miguel de Allende, where real estate prices have risen dramatically in recent decades.


Economically, although tourism is an important source of income for Mexico (it represents around 8.5% of GDP in 2023), overtourism can reduce long-term benefits. Uncontrolled growth and excessive dependence on a tourism-based economy can lead to imbalances, especially when income is not distributed equitably among local communities.

4. Challenges in Infrastructure and Public Services

The infrastructure in many tourist areas of Mexico is not prepared to handle the growing number of tourists. The overload of public services such as water supply, garbage collection and electricity is frequent. In addition, the massive transit of tourists generates mobility problems and vehicular congestion, as in Mexico City and Cancun.

5. Measures and Solutions

Faced with growing concerns about overtourism, various government entities, non-governmental organizations and the private sector have begun to implement solutions:

Diversification of tourist destinations: Mexico is promoting lesser-known destinations to disperse tourists and relieve pressure on the most visited areas. Places such as Bacalar, Holbox or Chiapas have gained prominence as alternatives to traditional beach and city destinations.

Promotion of sustainable tourism: Initiatives are being developed to promote more sustainable tourism practices, such as the use of renewable energy in hotels, the reduction of plastics and education on the environmental impact of tourist activities.

Management of load limits: In some archaeological sites and natural parks, such as in the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve or in Chichén Itzá, limits have begun to be implemented on the number of tourists who can access daily to reduce pressure on resources.

Promotion of rural and community tourism: Various indigenous and rural communities are promoting community tourism as an alternative to the traditional model. This approach allows for greater income redistribution and protects local cultures, as well as educating tourists about the importance of respecting natural and cultural environments.

6. Future Perspectives

The future of tourism in Mexico will largely depend on how overtourism is managed. If strong measures are not implemented, there is a risk that destinations will become unsustainable both environmentally and economically. However, growing awareness of the impact of mass tourism, together with sustainability-oriented policies, could offer a path towards more balanced tourism development that is respectful of the environment and local communities.

In summary, overtourism in Mexico poses significant challenges, but also offers opportunities to rethink the tourism industry towards a more equitable and sustainable model. The key will be in cooperation between the government, tourism companies and local communities to ensure that tourism remains a driver of economic development without compromising natural resources or culture.


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