Dec 12, 20243 min read

Tourists overstay their welcome

By James Tong Dec. 11, 2024

Under the sweltering summer sun, the cobblestone alleys of Venice suffocate with crowds, as waves of tourists flood the city. Tour groups struggle for space, while overloaded gondolas maneuver through jammed canals. Just above, frustrated locals glare from their windows, watching as their city overflows with visitors. Although tourism is intended to expand cultural exchange and economic growth, overtourism—an overwhelming quantity of visitors at a popular destination—has initiated several protests and led many countries to implement regulations to manage its disruptive impact.

Many quarantine restrictions were lifted post-pandemic, causing a surge in travel rates and tourism. In 2023, the tourism industry contributed $9.9 trillion to the global GDP, or 9.1% of the total, according to Statista, a German international news publication. UN Tourism estimates that 790 million tourists have traveled internationally between January and July this year, revealing an approximate 11% increase since 2023, reaching 96% of the pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Economically, this industry provides undeniable benefits on a local and global scale. Statista estimated that there were 330 million travel and tourism jobs in 2023, which are only expected to rise. Additionally, in tourism hotspots, infrastructure relies on the influx of tourists, as hotels and local restaurants fill up with visitors.

One of the main attractions of tourism is exploring the diversity of different cultures globally. However, the authenticity of these cultural exchanges often diminishes in areas affected by overtourism, where traditions are not preserved and rather become commercialized to suit foreign expectations. Instead of protecting the local lifestyles, foods and communal identity, overtourism promotes commercialization and shifts infrastructure towards economic gain. In Barcelona, traditional markets have transformed into tourist attractions, prioritizing souvenirs and fast food over local produce.

Economic reliance poses risks in destinations like the Maldives and Hawaii. ABC News states that tourism has the largest role in Hawaii's economy and was consequently affected by the pandemic and the Maui fire in 2023. According to NPR, the pandemic drastically reduced the number of tourists, leaving one in six workers unemployed due to the state's heavy economic dependence on tourism.

"Tourism helps people from different cultural backgrounds connect and experience more aspects of the world. When I visited New York, I was not bothered by overcrowding. Instead, I enjoyed being with other tourists from different parts of the world and visiting the various attractions in the city," Junior Warren Tan said.

Additionally, overtourism leads to pollution and the over-consumption of environmental resources. Catering to tourism, hotels, cruises and planes consume substantial resources contributing to climate change. According to Sustainable Travel, tourism contributes to 8% of worldwide carbon emissions.

In cities like Venice, Barcelona and Amsterdam, overtourism disrupts daily life for the residents. In Venice, navigating through the streets and public spaces for daily commuting becomes nearly impossible with the enormous crowds. Furthermore, the constant influx of tourists also decreases affordable housing for residents. As per PBS, many Venetians feel like strangers in their city, as tourists vastly outnumber the local population throughout the year.

In turn, protests against overtourism have erupted across Europe. In Lisbon, Portugal, residents have rallied against short-term vacation rentals in response to increased housing costs for locals. Similarly, in countries like France and Spain, protests target overtourism's negative impacts on housing, pollution and services specific to residents. The Harvard International Review reported that the protestors emphasize the priority of their livelihoods during government decisions. Rather than eliminating tourism, locals want an end to overtourism that disrupts their communities.

"Protesting against overtourism is justified. Visitors often leave trash behind, disrupt daily life and prioritize taking photos instead of respecting the community, culture or environment," Sophomore Evan Xu said.

Fundamentally, overtourism perpetuates complexities in balancing the benefits of cultural exchange and economic growth with protecting local communities, cultural authenticity and natural environments. From Hawaii to Italy, these challenges highlight the importance of sustainable tourism. However, as new government regulations for sustainable travel are in their infancy, there is newfound potential for tourism hotspots to be preserved.

About the Contributors

James Tong is a writer for the school journalism. He enjoys collaborating with others and this is his first year in journalism. His hobbies include swimming, biking, hanging out with friends and listening to music.

Ryan Park is an Artist for Advanced Journalism in Leland High School. He wants to be able to improve his drawing skills during his time in Journalism. He likes watching anime, hanging out with his friends, and going to the gym.