What is Overtourism? Examples and Solutions through Deep Travel
One Planet Journey’s Carla Hyenne goes through definitions, examples, and solutions to overtourism. Deep travel is one way forward as these travellers represent a highly sought-after target market, responsible in their behaviour and craving a more meaningful way of travel. High-spending, long-staying, and driven by experiences, these quality travellers fit in with resident communities and directly support the local economy.
Trouble in Paradise
Barcelona made the headlines recently with images of locals protesting against the impact that tourism has on their city. The movement highlighted the lack of government action to regulate short-term rentals which, in their view, has contributed to a situation where residents cannot enjoy or afford to live in the centre. Who to blame? The high volume of tourists arriving in the summer.
The mayor of Barcelona then stated that short-term tourist rentals would face a total ban after 2028. Is this bold declaration a realistic solution to what the media is calling overtourism? Livelihoods depend on the tourism economy, which also connects the city to the rest of the world. It encourages exchange between people and cultures. Moreover, many experts question whether Barcelona is suffering from it at all, claiming it’s more of an issue of mismanaged tourism flows across seasons. Is overtourism a false narrative? Can quality tourism, with a focus on specific travellers looking for deeper, more meaningful experiences, be part of the solution? First, we need to understand how overtourism takes shape.
What is Overtourism?
Overtourism ocurrs when a place receives more tourists than it can manage in a sustainable manner, thereby resulting in a negative quality experience for locals and visitors, while straining the environment and local infrastructure. With 1.4 billion of us travelling in 2024, and numbers expected to soar over the next 10 years, chances are you’ll soon see more headlines mentioning overtourism.
Overtourism manifests itself as a lower quality of life for local communities who point to higher living costs, noise, congested streets and public transport. Other complaints refer to pollution, littering, and loss of cultural identity as spaces in the city become touristified and lose their original and unique edge. Short-term rentals often take the blame as residents maintain they increase the cost of rent so much that it is almost impossible to find affordable housing in the centre (keep reading for an in-depth discussion on this topic).
Travellers also suffer. Rather than an enjoyable vacation, people face resentment from locals, massive queues, sold-out museums and shows, and high prices for food, drink and accommodation. The increased crowds during peak season make it hard to enjoy a genuine and exclusive experience and many return home feeling disillusioned and disappointed with their visit.
Barcelona is, of course, not the only hotspot coupled with the term overtourism. Let’s take a global tour and see what’s going on and if there are solutions to the problem.
Overtourism Examples and Solutions
Discussions surrounding overtourism and dissatisfied locals have multiplied around the globe. Some of the most highlighted include:
Dubrovnik, Croatia
What happened: Dubrovnik, the Adriatic gem, has seen a rapid rise of international visitors after serving as a key filming set for the Game of Thrones. The already stunning medieval Old Town became a must-see location for fans, on top of those already visiting via cruise ships. The narrow streets clogged up, historic structures risked damage, and thus, frustration among locals mounted.
Overtourism solutions: To better manage the number of visitors, Dubrovnik has set a daily limit on cruise ships and entrants to the walled town. There is also a partnership with UNESCO to monitor and protect its heritage. This includes a mix of surveillance cameras to track real-time visitor flow, and the Respect the City initiative. The local tourism office also encourages travellers to extend their stay and spend time in nearby coastal towns such as Korčula or Cavtat.
Bali, Indonesia
What happened: With Bali’s natural beauty and affordability, it’s not a surprise that it turned it into a global hotspot. However, this has come at a high cost. Pollution, traffic congestion, rapid development, and water shortages have affected both the environment and local communities.
Overtourism solutions: Bali has implemented new laws to protect nature and land from more tourist-related construction. There is a tourism tax to fund sustainability efforts and plans are underway to promote less visited parts of the island.
Reykjavík and the Golden Circle, Iceland
What happened: A strong marketing push after the financial crisis of 2008, coupled with the virality of social media, triggered a tourism boom. Iceland’s iconic natural sites, such as the Golden Circle sights, saw massive crowds disrupt wildlife, threaten ecosystems, and overwhelm the small communities.
Overtourism solutions: Iceland has dabbled with tourist taxes and so-called surge pricing, where entrance fees depend on the season and the number of people buying tickets, much like how booking airline tickets work. Limiting access, together with infrastructure to manage foot traffic, are steps towards reducing strain on the most popular spots.
Venice, Italy
What happened: Venice illustrates the problems with overtourism more than any other place in the world. Those who have visited can testify to an overwhelming volume of visitors who flood the city, especially day-trippers who spend little money locally. The narrow alleys, fragile infrastructure, and a fast declining resident population make Venice’s fight to combat overtourism an urgent affair.
Overtourism solutions: The city took action and banned large cruise ships from docking near the historic centre. As of 2024, there is an entry fee for day-trippers during peak times, an experiment watched closely by other popular hotspots. A tourism tax is also in force, as are laws against disrespectful behaviour, like swimming in the canals or eating by monuments.
Machu Picchu, Peru
What happened: This ancient Incan citadel’s popularity comes with plenty of downsides. Piled up garbage, vandalised temples, and environmental degradation all point to numbers far beyond its sustainable capacity. It’s not only the actual UNESCO listed site, which has seen total closures at times, but also the trail and nearby towns that struggle with infrastructure strain.
Overtourism solutions: Peru introduced timed ticketing with capped daily visitors to the Machu Picchu site. The Inca Trail requires permits, and authorities carefully monitor routes to limit environmental damage and overworking the porters who carry bags and equipment for the tourists.
Deep Travel – a solution for overtourism?
Is there a sustainable way to manage tourism that maintains a decent standard of life for locals and a pleasurable experience for travellers? The growing deep travel movement aligns in this direction. More than the average tourist, deep travellers seek meaningful and intentional experiences. All in a manner that is built upon respect for the places they visit and the people they encounter. Plus, their travel style benefits the local economy. They are more likely to stay longer and spend more money, therefore participating in the high-value, low-impact tourism trend. Perfect for destinations looking to target quality tourism.
Now that we know the definition of overtourism, and having gone through examples from around the globe, we can discuss solutions that cities should implement by attracting deep travellers.
Shift demand away from hotspots
Deep travel is for travellers that want something more than overcrowded “must-see” attractions. They have moved beyond ticking off bucket lists, and instead seek hidden gems, and exclusive, personal experiences you won’t find in every guidebook. This type of clientele redistributes tourism flows more evenly across a country, across regions, and even within a city. It reduced the pressure on iconic destinations like Amsterdam’s Museumplein, while bringing attention and money to overlooked areas. In short, a more balanced and equitable form of tourism.
Going beyond tourist hot spots is what deep travel is about and finding places off the beaten path creates opportunities to live an extraordinary and meaningful life of travel. Tourism authorities need to get creative with their social media strategies, using the right influencers and collaborators to promote alternative places to visit. Leaving it unchecked can cause even more overtourism.
Switzerland Tourism works directly with influencers to promote eco-friendly tourism. By inviting them to workshops and tours to showcase lesser-known destinations, they manage the flow of tourists away from busy spots.
Deep travellers aren’t interested in the most Instagrammable place, and instead, ask themselves: “If everyone is already here, where has nobody explored yet?”
Low-Season Travel
Crafting attractive offers for people to travel year-round goes beyond preventing large crowds. It spreads out the economic benefits and alleviates the intense workload that businesses experience during peak season. It promotes a region’s culture at other times of the year. The cheaper prices for low season tourism already attract budget-friendly travellers, and the idea also piques the interest of those who like to travel to niche places, like deep travellers. For more benefits, read our dedicated low- or off-season travel guide.
Designated marketing helps showcase year-round experiences. Scotland’s “Scotland is Calling” campaign encourages people to visit during the less popular months and highlights seasonal attractions. For example, the Northern Lights, best seen between October and March, the snowy Highlands with their short days, and winter hikes on the Isle of Skye, are all awe-inspiring ways to experience low-season travel in Scotland.
Encourage longer stays
A hallmark of deep travel is the desire to truly get to know a place, including its people, rhythms, traditions, and stories. This naturally leads to longer stays. Travellers who spend more time in one place tend to explore it more mindfully, often building relationships and investing in local businesses. This not only lessens the daily impact on infrastructure and the environment (as fewer people come and go), but also supports more sustainable tourism economics. Fewer visitors staying for extended periods (month or longer) can be more financially beneficial than large volumes of tourists passing briefly. This is why banning short-term rentals is the wrong way to go.
The problems that locals in Barcelona face are real. Years of underinvestment in new housing have created an unaffordable and saturated market and the city’s changing cultural and economic landscape contribute to the complex problem. However, tourism is not solely responsible. A long-term affordable housing strategy with capped rentals in designated areas, but no blanket bans, would offer a more balanced approach.
Problems with short-term rental bans
Bans could open the door for new hotels, hostels, and other accommodation options, adding to the current woes of overtourism. In addition, it can lead to an unregulated black market of holiday rentals, with safety issues for all involved. The ban won’t significantly limit the volume of tourists, address the homogenisation of local culture, or compensate businesses for the loss of income from fewer visitors.
It also negatively affects deep travellers. When you stay for months and spend more money than the average visitor, you prefer accommodation options that allow extended stays. Hotels don’t suit this purpose. They don’t offer affordable terms for nomadic life, lacking equipment like kitchens that make this type of semi-local living more practical.
Promote slower travel and deeper connections with local communities
One aspect of deep travel that attracts modern travellers is the act of slowing down and being present. Why race through numerous cities in a few days when you can immerse yourself in local life and really get to know a place?
Deep travellers actively seek interactions with local communities, as they prioritise genuine cultural exchange. This means direct contributions to the local economy, from staying in family-run guesthouses, participating in community-led tours, or taking classes hosted by artisans. These kinds of connections are essential for long-term relationships that turn them into repeat visitors. At the same time, local communities feel respected rather than exploited, with less resistance and resentment as an outcome.
Invest In Sustainable Tourism Experiences
Travellers show increased support for paying more if the money goes to the right initiatives. Many destinations now charge a daily tourist tax that funds the restoration of important sites, safety, improvement of public transport infrastructure, and creating programs that preserve the natural environment. Few places do it quite as comprehensively as Bhutan, which charges travellers a $100 ‘Sustainable Development Fee’. It might seem steep at first glance, but it helps the country finance their high-value responsible tourism strategy.
Investing in low-impact experiences respectful of the environment and local communities creates meaningful memories for visitors. Think off-grid lodges, foraging excursions, and conservation stays. No matter what type of adventure you’re looking for, the growing deep travel trend means you’ll have endless options to choose from.
Deep Travel – a path to quality tourism
Deep travel emerged from an intrinsic need to experience authentic holidays that break from the stereotypical idea of ‘vacation’, which has contributed to the many of the problems associated with overtourism. Unaffordable housing and the watering down of local culture to attract an international crowd of visitors are reasons for discontent, however, solutions such as banning short-term rental housing will not resolve overtourism.
Cities are complex and made of conflicting needs and wants from the diversity of people who live there and those who come to visit. It is their responsibility and ours, as travellers, to promote a style of travelling that respects the residents, culture, environment, and economy, and seeks quality experiences over trendy photos. Deep travel implies a more authentic and meaningful approach to travel, part of the solution for overtourism and ‘touristification’.
Have you seen other creative solutions to overtourism? What are your suggestions for avoiding crowded hot spots, and finding hidden gems? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe to our newsletter and benefit from travel guides, sustainable tourism and luxury travel tips, insightful interviews, and inspirational places to visit. One Planet Journey – The World’s First Deep Travel Magazine.
