Overtourism has become one of the most pressing challenges facing the travel industry today, as destinations across the world struggle to cope with visitor numbers far beyond their ecological and social capacity. What was once seen as a source of prosperity has, in many places, turned into a strain on landscapes, infrastructure, and the well-being of residents.
When too many travellers converge on the same location, natural environments often suffer first. Fragile ecosystems such as coastlines, mountains, wetlands, and protected areas become overloaded by foot traffic, waste production, water consumption, and pollution. Beaches erode more quickly, wildlife becomes disturbed, and hiking trails deteriorate under constant pressure.
Popular natural sites that require years to recover can be irreversibly damaged within a single overcrowded season. The environmental footprint increases as large volumes of transport, accommodation, and recreational activities require more energy, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating climate change. For local communities, overtourism creates a different but equally harmful set of consequences. Cities and towns that attract millions of visitors often see their housing markets distorted, as properties are converted into short-term rentals, pushing out residents who can no longer afford to live in their own neighbourhoods. Streets become congested, public transport overloaded, and essential services stretched thin.
Noise, litter, and overcrowding disrupt the daily lives of inhabitants, while traditional shops and artisan businesses are replaced by souvenir stalls and tourist-oriented establishments. Cultural identity becomes commercialised, sometimes reduced to a performance rather than an authentic expression of heritage. The sense of community weakens as daily life starts to revolve around the demands of visitors rather than the needs of residents. Economically, overtourism often creates an illusion of prosperity, but the benefits are not always evenly distributed.
While tourism businesses may thrive, many workers face seasonal employment, low wages, and increasing living costs. Small and medium-sized enterprises struggle to compete with large tourism operators, and local people may feel that their town is no longer designed for them but for outsiders. In extreme cases, frustration and resentment grow, giving rise to anti-tourism movements in destinations where locals feel unheard and overwhelmed. Addressing overtourism requires a shift towards responsible and sustainable travel practices, including visitor management, diversification of tourism offerings, investment in environmental protection, and greater involvement of local communities in decision-making. Without these changes, many of the world’s most beloved destinations risk losing the very qualities that make them worth visiting. Ultimately, the consequences of overtourism remind us that travel should not come at the expense of the places and people we admire. Protecting the environment and respecting communities ensures that destinations remain vibrant, authentic, and sustainable for generations to come.
