Why overtourism matters – and how you can make a difference

Earlier this year, more than 120,000 residents took to the streets of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands to protest the “destructive growth” of tourism on its coast. Their aim was to stop the creation of yet another beach resort in the south of the island, and to demand that the authorities implement a more sustainable tourism model; one that considers resident welfare, local housing, living costs, environmental degradation and pollution ahead of profit-making.

Canary Islanders are not the first residents to push back against large tourism numbers. In May, around 10,000 residents on the island of Mallorca in Spain raised concerns over how short-term rental accommodation was destroying the availability of affordable homes in the Balearic Islands. They also drew attention to the road congestion spikes that occur during the summer travel season, and how locals suffer from water shortages exacerbated by the extra burden that hotel swimming pools and spas place on their limited resources.

In recent years, several destinations have implemented measures to reduce overtourism, developing strategies that include restricting the size and number of cruise ships entering busy city ports (Venice); introducing a visitor tax (Bali) or raising the fees of taxes already in place (Barcelona); reducing the number of short-term holiday rentals, including banning Airbnbs (Penang) or putting strict limits on how they can operate (New York); and even outlawing the construction of new hotels (Amsterdam). Most recently, authorities in Barcelona also warned that short-term, Airbnb-style rentals will be made illegal in five years.

However, with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasting that 2024 will be a ‘record-breaking year for travel and tourism’, we are likely to see even more destinations struggling to control visitor numbers.

Why overtourism matters

Overtourism typically occurs when too many people travel to one place, leaving local infrastructure unable to cope with the demand for accommodation, transport and amenities. This might be in cities or towns, or in rural areas such as national parks and reserves. In such cases, local people tend to bear the brunt of the problem, with their quality of life often diminished as a result.

Large tourism numbers can cause increased traffic congestion, crowded public transport and the erosion of popular landmarks. In the worst cases, residents are forced to move out of their homes due to price hikes in basic necessities such as rent and food. As more people move away, investors move in, buying up property to convert into holiday accommodation, raising rental rates even further and ensuring more local people are priced out of the property market. And so the cycle continues, with profit-making hotels and entertainment complexes prioritised over local needs. It’s no wonder that locals have started to speak out.

“As residents experience the direct impacts of [overtourism] – and when they feel that tourism is imposed on them, instead of them having a say in how it’s developed and managed – they understandably become more vocal in their calls for change,” explains Rebecca Armstrong, a sustainable tourism specialist at The Travel Foundation.

Poor tourism management and a lack of regulation in natural spaces can also cause environmental and habitat degradation in places such as national parks and protected areas. In such cases, there is more of an opportunity for wildlife to be disturbed by humans, resulting in changed behaviour, creatures moving away from their natural habitat and, eventually, even biodiversity loss.

What can be done?

The Canary Islands protests took place following decades of issues caused by the islands’ positioning as a mass-tourism destination. In 2023, 13.9 million people (more than six times the population) visited the seven main islands, with the majority staying at the archipelago’s many resorts and private rental accommodation. Yet, despite this influx of potential income, the Spanish National Statistics Institute reported that ‘34% of Canary Islanders remained at risk of poverty or social exclusion’, showing that not enough of the money spent by tourists is going towards local infrastructure and services.

“It is useful to consider overtourism through the lens of residents,” explains responsible tourism expert Siobhán Daly. “Residents of popular tourism destinations deserve to have a high quality of life; unfortunately, this is not always the case in many places. And yet, tourism is more likely to become sustainable in a destination where residents are supportive of it.”

National and local governments also have the power to contribute to long-term solutions by building a sustainable environment for residents. “Listening to residents – and acting on their concerns – is the moral thing to do,” continues Siobhán. “By doing this, destination management organisations have the opportunity to intervene before tourism’s negative impacts become increasingly prominent.”

Affordable housing, a reliable and accessible public transport system, rent control and a liveable minimum wage are all ways in which to improve societies and allow residents’ welfare to be prioritised. Providing the means for locals to start businesses in areas where tourism is rife can also help to ensure local people gain from the presence of tourists.

Rebecca agrees: “Collaboration is key to managing visitors. As well as improving life for residents, this can offer a better experience for travellers, because crowded sites aren’t pleasant for anyone. Likewise, [authorities] working with communities in less-visited destinations that would like to welcome more tourists is important for making sure that the problem isn’t just inadvertently shifted elsewhere.”

What you need to know

According to research conducted by environmental monitoring company Murmuration, 80% of travellers visit just 10% of destinations around the world. So, the best way to help reduce overtourism would be to swerve the hotspots and explore lesser-visited regions. Even better, explore those famous landmarks via augmented-reality technology such as Wanderlust’s MetaTravel experiences, which allow users to delve into destinations from their computer or tablet.

“Some destinations and attractions also offer high-quality virtual experiences,” explains Siobhán. “Prospective tourists can enjoy the sites from the comfort of their own homes.”

If you do visit popular regions, consider going during the off-peak and shoulder seasons – a way of travelling that Wanderlust has been championing for more than 30 years. Importantly, this also means choosing to stay in locally owned accommodation, hiring a local guide and supporting community-owned restaurants and artisans, to ensure residents benefit from your presence.

Rebecca agrees that these simple decisions can help to spread the benefits of tourism to locals. “Travelling by train, bike or on foot, and stopping along the way, can help to showcase the places you’d otherwise miss,” she adds. Another added benefit is that it also brings income to those living on the fringes of busy hubs.

While there isn’t an easy solution to overtourism, it’s clear there needs to be mindful collaboration between residents, local tourism authorities and travellers. In the meantime, smarter trip planning is a great place to start.

Case studies

Bhutan’s ‘sustainable development fee’
All visitors to Bhutan must pay a US$100 (£80) per day ‘sustainable development fee’, designed to encourage ‘high value, low impact’ tourism. In the past, this fee has been as much as US$250, and the money collected goes towards maintaining heritage architecture, native forests, education and healthcare facilities. Recently, the nation’s prime minister suggested that the fee could double if numbers grow beyond the quota of 300,000 visitors per year.

Making Amsterdam ‘liveable’
Amsterdam’s local government is on a mission to not only reduce mass tourism but reconstruct the city’s image, moving away from its reputation as a party destination. “We want to make, and keep, the city liveable for residents and visitors. This means: no overtourism, no new hotels and no more than 20 million hotel overnight stays by tourists per year,” city officials declared in 2024.

Venice’s mission to reduce day trippers
After UNESCO threatened to take away its World Heritage status in 2021, due to the risk to the vulnerable ecosystem in its waterways and the heritage buildings that line them, Venice banned large cruise ships (over 25,000 tonnes) from entering its famous Giudecca Canal. This year, also authorities introduced a trial fee of €5 (£4.30) to see if day trippers could be further deterred; however, the move triggered an outcry from residents, who felt the scheme turned their home into a “theme park”.

French Polynesia puts a cap on it
The islands of French Polynesia, including Tahiti, Bora Bora and Mo’orea, have implemented a limit on the number of visitors allowed per year, capping this figure at 300,000 – the equivalent of one tourist for every resident. Since the islands are a major cruise destination, the decision also means that they now only welcome smaller vessels. The reduction in cruise passenger numbers means less of an impact on the natural environment and reduced demand on local amenities.