'Overtourism' is a neologism coined and first used in an article on 16 August 2016 by Skift, a news and reference site for market research and marketing services in the travel industry. The term soon spread globally and was the subject of many articles, studies and debates. It was declared by the Telegraph as 'Word of the Year' at the end of 2017. It entered the Oxford dictionary the following year. The United Nations World Tourism Organization/UNWTO, defined it as "the impact of tourism on a destination, or parts of a destination, that excessively and negatively affects the perceived quality of life of citizens and/or the quality of visitor experiences."
THE RISKS OF OVERTOURISM
The number of travellers, which has increased exponentially over the last decade and is set to reach 2 billion by 2030, is one of the most worrying factors. With it, the spread of low-cost airlines and shipping companies, real drivers for the travel sector. Particularly evocative places that have always been popular (such as Venice and the Cinque Terre, to give two examples linked to Italy) are a further attraction for many tourists. The same applies to locations made famous by films and television dramas. In both cases, there have been real 'invasions', whether for a holiday or an excursion. Many tourists even see them as stops on a tour of the most popular sets.
Immediate consequences are very strong anthropic pressure and environmental stress due to not always optimal resource and land management. In extreme cases, this has led to the destruction of entire ecosystems (e.g. many stretches of coral reefs). The abnormal production of waste and its disposal are other high-risk factors, which go in the opposite direction to the sustainability.
AVOID OVERTOURISM
Services are also a test case for many destinations. From those of immediate use, such as accommodation (beds), transport (public transport and taxis) and catering, to everyday services, which contribute to the liveability of areas. This is the case irrespective of whether they are cities, villages, seaside, lake or mountain resorts.
Guaranteeing good services not only to travellers, but first and foremost to those living in places that have become mass tourist destinations, is the first step to reversing the trend.
Regulating connections, both in terms of air and sea traffic (primarily cruise ships) is another way to control arrivals and manage traveller flows.
Optimising the relationship between supply and demand. Using revenue tools to distribute and 'direct' presences can avoid peaks in high and very high season. High-spending tourists also often have a more respectful and conscious approach to their chosen destination. Seasonal adjustment and extending the opening of facilities beyond the classic 'tourist season' can also reduce anthropic pressure. All to the benefit of the tourists themselves and the local communities.
Empower the marketing and promotion of the area by involving destination management and tour operators in the promotion of areas and facilities located near the focal points. This could relieve historical centres and particularly sensitive areas (e.g. Venice). Tourist taxes, entrance fees and bed quotas are other measures taken to run for cover. These measures, however, smack of an emergency, not of a structured strategy.
The importance of synergies
The need for a synergy between operators not limited to promotion, but oriented towards the planning and management of tourist flows is essential. Taking the example of deseasonalisation, state support can help accommodation businesses to keep their facilities open for longer. This could guarantee work for a longer period and at the same time reduce the expenses for social shock absorbers (such as the NASPI, paid out during the months of closure).
Proper and structured management can therefore be the solution to controlling flows and making tourism a friendly activity not only for development but also for the environment. Overtourism can be defeated in this way.
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