Overtourism: A Literature Review to Assess Implications and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Overtourism is an emerging concept facing the world’s main tourist destinations. The growth that tourism has undergone in recent decades is of two different types. On the one hand, the development of new technologies and the creation of low-cost airline carriers have increased tourism levels, leading to growth even in emerging economies. On the other hand, uncontrolled demand alongside a concentration of tourism in particular destinations impact negatively both territories and local communities. The problems caused in some destinations by the increasing, ongoing growth in tourism have created the issue of “overtourism,” which is assuming an increasing significance in the literature. This paper contributes to the literature by providing an exploratory study with which to better understand the origins of overtourism, its implications, and predicted future perspectives in respect to the issue. Examination of the new evidence presented here contributes to the expanding knowledge of particular problems of tourism development.

The Relationship of Subjective Well-Being in Residents’ Perceptions of the Impacts of Overtourism in the City of Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil

“…The averages demonstrate that the residents predominantly perceive negative aspects related to the excess of tourists in Blumenau during the Oktoberfest. This finding corroborates what was exposed by Capocchi et al [1] and Ivlevs [7], who also found that the feeling of overtourism and the perception of negative impacts promoted by tourism, cause discomfort or decreased the well-being of residents.…”

“…The results showed that many of the cities studied have below-average overtourism potential, which contrasts with the extensive media coverage surrounding the problem of overtourism that each city is facing. Thus, when the adverse effects of the tourist activity outweigh the benefits generated by the activity, a negative feeling may arise in the residents regarding the development of tourism in their destination [1,40,41]. Overtourism has been considered one of the greatest threats to global tourism development [34,42].…”

“…Despite the relevance of analyzing the influencing aspects of overtourism in destinations, authors such as Capocchi et al [1], Carballo et al [44], and Insch [2], encourage research to understand how the process of development of anti-tourism feelings occurs, with regard to overtourism and consequently the decline of destinations influenced by such phenomena. As already mentioned, this term has been used in the literature for a short time; it came out in 2016 [3].…”

“…Tourism is an essential global activity as it develops local economies, promotes the development of activity in new destinations, and motivates individuals to leave their daily territory seeking new experiences. The increase in the movement of people worldwide, as well as the strengthening of destinations as "a strong brand," causes several impacts, including overtourism, which shows a substantial threat to places already consolidated in tourism [1,2]. Insh [2] proved this fact by arguing that, currently, two out of five European residents believe that the number of tourists represents a threat to Europe's cultural heritage.…”

Walking in Each Other’s Footsteps: Do Animal Trail Makers Confer Resilience against Trampling Tourists?

“…We have entered an era of 'overtourism' [66] where small islands of biodiversity aggregate often formerly wide-ranging animal species with a press of humanity coming to view them. Trampling tourists and trampling fauna at high densities have a high potential to degrade an environment and diminish its sustainability as an attraction for tourists and as functioning ecosystems supporting the flora and fauna.…”