Overtourism 101
This happens when too many tourists visit a destination, overwhelming local infrastructure and residents.
What is overtourism?
This UN agency promotes responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism.
What is the UNWTO?
Tourism creates jobs, which can reduce this major cause of political instability.
What is poverty?
Limiting the number of daily visitors to a site is known as this type of management strategy.
What is visitor caps (or capacity limits)?
This Southeast Asian country limits visitors to the island of Boracay after environmental damage from overtourism.
What is the Philippines?
This European city began charging day-trippers an entry fee to control crowding.
What is Venice?
UNWTO links tourism directly to this global framework of 17 goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
When tourists and locals interact positively, it promotes this quality that reduces stereotypes and prejudice.
What is tolerance?
Spreading tourism across different seasons to reduce peak congestion is called this.
What is seasonal distribution (or managing seasonality)?
This Spanish city has seen protests where locals held signs saying “Tourists Go Home” due to rising housing costs.
What is Barcelona?
Overtourism can cause rising rents, pushing locals out of neighborhoods. This economic effect is known as this.
What is gentrification?
UNWTO believes tourism can promote this between cultures, helping reduce prejudice and conflict.
What is intercultural understanding?
If overtourism causes resentment, it can weaken this relationship between citizens and their government.
What is trust (or social stability)?
Encouraging tourists to visit lesser-known areas helps reduce pressure on hotspots. This approach is known as this.
What is destination diversification?
This African country uses gorilla trekking permits at high prices to limit numbers and fund conservation and community development.
What is Rwanda?
When locals protest against tourists because they feel overwhelmed or disrespected, it reflects this growing tension between residents and visitors.
What is tourism backlash (or anti-tourism sentiment)?
UNWTO encourages countries to adopt this type of tourism model that balances economic growth with environmental and social responsibility.
What is sustainable tourism?
Tourism between historically rival countries (example: South Korea & Japan) can help improve this type of relationship.
What is diplomatic relations?
According to UNWTO, tourism should be a force for economic growth, cultural understanding, and this global ideal.
What is peace?
This small Himalayan country follows a “High Value, Low Volume” tourism model to protect culture and promote Gross National Happiness.
What is Bhutan?
Overtourism can damage historic landmarks like Machu Picchu and the Colosseum due to excessive foot traffic. This type of damage is known as this.
What is physical degradation (or environmental degradation)?
In 2017, the UN declared this International Year to highlight tourism’s role in peace and development.
What is the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development?
When tourism revenue is distributed fairly among local communities, it reduces inequality and strengthens this key element of peaceful societies.
What is social cohesion?
Using technology like timed-entry tickets and reservation systems helps destinations manage this concept — the maximum number of visitors a site can handle sustainably.
What is carrying capacity?
After conflict ended in the 1990s, tourism helped rebuild this Balkan country’s economy and international image.
What is Bosnia and Herzegovina?