The issue around overtourism has heated up. What it is, why we discuss it, and what bad consequences it has?
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| Overtourism in Italy |
The balance of these last spring bridges is certainly positive for the Italian tourism sector, with one-way routes in the Cinque Terre, big throngs of travelers on Lake Como and Garda, and cities of art seized by storm. Residents of tourist hotspots, dubbed "victims" of what is now known as overtourism, are less content. What what is overtourism, what negative repercussions does it have, and, most importantly, can we truly consider 'too much tourism' a problem?
127 millions tourists expected in Italy in 2023
With the removal of the covid restrictions, an insatiable need to travel has infected an increasing number of people, notably in Italy. This year, about 127 million arrivals are predicted (+11.2% over 2022), just 4 million fewer than the all-time high of 2019 and 1 million less than in 2018 (Demoskopika Institute). Almost half of these will be foreign tourists (61 million), with our lovely country confirmed as one of their top European locations. After all, who hasn't fantasized about taking a picture in front of the Colosseum or riding in a gondola in Venice?
Most Americans, Brazilians, and Chinese will visit Italy, but there will also be Japanese and Arabs, while European tourists will primarily be French, Germans, and English. People prefer Italy because it is a "interesting, welcoming, and safe" destination, with food, culture, and hospitality among its strengths (infrastructure and cleanliness are its shortcomings), according to a Confcommercio - Istituto Piepoli study.
Rome, Florence, and Venice are the most visited art cities in Italy, while Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, and Lake Garda are popular tourist destinations, thanks in part to the villas of certain international VIPs. These locations were 'invaded' by tourists during the Easter vacations, the long weekend of April 25 and the long weekend of May 1, days marked by "sold out" for the tourism industry, which is gearing up to set a new record in 2023.
The most visited art cities in Italy are Rome, Florence, and Venice, while Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, and Lake Garda are attractive tourist attractions, thanks in part to the villas of select worldwide VIPs. During the Easter holidays, the long weekend of April 25 and the long weekend of May 1, these areas were 'invaded' by tourists, days marked by "sold out" for the tourism industry, which is geared up to establish a new record in 2023.
What is overtourism and why do Italians discuss it?
This word, coined by the founder of the travel magazine Skift in 2016, is intended to describe the issue of tourist overpopulation, which occurs when tourism begins to have a negative impact on the business and residential life of the locals. We consider not only art cities and tourist destinations, but also rural communities near significant attractions, such as Mestre and Treviso in Venice or Prato and Montecatini in Florence. Overtourism occurs when these sites receive more visitors than they can handle.
This is true in the broadest sense, but it is frequently (and incorrectly) applied to undesirable mass tourism generated by online platforms such as Airbnb and Uber, as well as low-cost carriers. Instagram and other social media platforms are also under scrutiny, considering that millions of children wish to take a photo in a specific location in order to copy successful influencers.
Negative effects of overtourism in Italy
What are the dangers of tourist overload? Let us look over the most remarkable example in detail: Venice is Italy's second most visited city, attracting 13 million people every year (30 million of them are day visitors who do not stay overnight). For years, the number of daily tourists in the city recognized across the world for its canals and bridges has exceeded the maximum limit that the historic center can endure, causing all sorts of problems (not just in terms of reception, garbage, transportation, roads, safety, air quality, sewage, and so on).
Venice's essence has changed over time as a result of tourism, with depopulation and gentrification, or a progressive socio-cultural transition of the urban region from proletarian to bourgeois. What does it imply? That excess of tourism not only leads to an increase in property prices (4,000 euros per square metre), making it impossible for the less well-off to buy a house in the city, but it also leads to a flight of historical residents who do not want to be trapped in a city crowded with tourists, with commercial activities primarily geared toward them. It should also be noted that Italy now has year-round tourism, therefore there are no longer any restrictions for citizens.
As the city grows increasingly unlivable, vacant residences are transformed into hotels, restaurants, or bed and breakfasts. A vicious spiral is set in motion, gradually leading to the city being wholly and exclusively a tourist destination. To summarize, the historic city of Venice has less than 50,000 inhabitants, 49,365 to be exact (figures from 11 April 2023), compared to 64,000 in 2002 and 174,000 in the 1950s. An electronic counter of people has even been erected to indicate the city's depopulation, with values that are about comparable to those of the electronic counter of available tourist beds (48,596).
At the recent World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) summit on sustainable tourism in Albania, there was also discussion of the risks of overtourism, or "the impact on a destination, or parts of it, which influences excessively and the perceived quality of life of citizens and/or the quality of visitor experiences." After all, the issue is heating up by the day: some argue that too much tourism should be 'tamed' with restrictive restrictions (tourist tax, no-bus zones, entry turnstiles), while others argue that tourist congestion should only be regulated and organized.
With the restriction of flows and access to cultural and artistic assets, the promotion of lesser-known and foreign places to visitors, and the promotion of ecotourism to minimize the impact on the local ecology. Fortunately, Italy is full with beautiful things to see and do, including art, culture, the sea, mountains, food, and shopping.
Source: Christine D'Amicis/TODAY