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Introduction
Overtourism is a new term for an old problem, namely, excessive numbers of tourists at a specific destination that can result in negative impacts of all types on the community involved. While the term is relatively recent, many of the problems involved have a long history, particularly in well-visited urban centres. The art critic, John Ruskin, complained of the presence and impacts of tourists in Venice in the mid-nineteenth century and the transformative effect of heavy visitation on destinations has been noted for well over a century (Butler, 2006). In more recent times, the oft-cited paper by Doxey (1975) is one of the first academic papers which specifically noted negative resident reaction to what were deemed excessive numbers of visitors in the vicinity of Niagara Falls. Other authors (Christaller, 1963; Krippendorf, 1987; Butler, 1980; Boissevain, 1996) have described the changes brought about in tourist destinations by increasing numbers of visitors. These changes have included negative reactions by residents, undesired physical change and damage to resources (natural and cultural) and general overcrowding. In many cases, these problems are exacerbated by the seasonal nature of much tourism, resulting and, as Milano et al. note, in:
[…] the excessive growth of visitors leading to overcrowding in areas where residents suffer the consequences of temporary and seasonal tourism peaks, which have enforced permanent changes to their lifestyles, access to amenities and general well-being.
Thus, the phenomenon of overtourism has existed for a long time in specific tourist destinations. Many of these destinations are urban centres, as major cities offer a wide range of attractions and facilities, often including iconic and unique features such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok and Times Square in New York. The presence of such specific attractions often makes it difficult to persuade potential tourists to visit other locations and thus forego seeing what are world-famous sites and sights.
Origins and causes of overtourism
Overtourism has resulted from a combination of a number of factors, which together have created a “perfect storm” of visitors to specific sites. Although many forces have existed for years, many other influences have increased the issue to a tipping point and this phenomenon has spread to many more destinations apart from...