Challenges of Over-Tourism and Site Degradation
Over-Tourism
Over-tourism occurs when the number of visitors exceeds a destinations carrying capacity to manage them sustainably, leading to negative impacts on the environment, local communities, and the tourism experience itself.
There are three main types of carrying capacity:
- Physical Carrying Capacity: The measure of absolute space, for example the number of spaces within a car park, number of hotel rooms
- Environmental Carrying Capacity: The level of use that an environment can sustain before long-term environmental damage occurs
- Perceptual Carrying Capacity: The level of crowding that a tourist (or local community) tolerates before deciding the location is too full
Urban Hotspots: Overcrowding and Loss of Identity
Case studyBarcelona, Spain
- Barcelona is a prime example of how over-tourism can transform a city.
Rising Housing Costs
- The demand for short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb has driven up housing prices, making it difficult for locals to afford living in their own neighborhoods.
In the Gothic Quarter, rental prices have increased by over 50% in the past decade, forcing many residents to move to less central areas.
Cultural Clashes
- The influx of tourists has led to tensions between visitors and locals.
- Noise, littering, and disrespect for cultural norms have sparked protests and calls for stricter regulations.
Many students mistakenly assume that over-tourism only affects the environment. In reality, it also has significant social and economic impacts on local communities.
Loss of Local Identity
- Traditional shops and markets are replaced by souvenir stores and international chains, eroding the city's unique cultural character.
When studying urban hotspots, focus on how over-tourism affects housing, culture, and infrastructure. These are key areas where the impacts are most visible.
Rural Hotspots: Environmental Degradation
Case studyMachu Picchu, Peru
- In rural areas, over-tourism often threatens fragile ecosystems and historical sites.
Trail Erosion
- The Inca Trail, a popular route to Machu Picchu, suffers from severe erosion due to the constant foot traffic of thousands of trekkers each year.
Heavy rainfall exacerbates the problem, washing away soil and destabilizing the trail.
Waste Accumulation
- Tourists generate significant waste, much of which is improperly disposed of, polluting the environment and harming wildlife.
The Peruvian government has implemented strict regulations, such as limiting the number of daily visitors to Machu Picchu, but challenges remain in enforcement and compliance.
Impact on Biodiversity
- Increased human activity disrupts local wildlife habitats, threatening species that rely on these ecosystems for survival.
Think of a fragile ecosystem like a delicate spider web. Over-tourism is like a heavy weight that strains and eventually breaks the web, causing irreversible damage.
Management Options: Balancing Tourism and Sustainability
- Addressing over-tourism requires a combination of strategies that balance the needs of tourists, local communities, and the environment.
Visitor Limits and Permits
- Quotas on the number of visitors can help reduce pressure on popular sites.
Machu Picchu allows only 2,500 visitors per day, and permits are required for the Inca Trail.
NoteVisitor limits are most effective when combined with strict enforcement and monitoring systems to prevent overcrowding.
