Overcrowded dream goals: Europe's most popular cities in overtourism

Overcrowded dream goals: Europe's most popular cities in overtourism

The European travel wave continues unabated, and so numerous popular holiday destinations are evident in harmful effects of overtourism. This term describes a phenomenon in which a city or region is flooded by a rush to tourists in the summer months. The burden on the infrastructure is growing, and the quality of life of the residents also suffers greatly. Cities such as Venice and Amsterdam, which are already reacting with measures, are particularly affected.

In Venice, for example, the collection of an entry fee from 2025 is discussed. This measure should not only help regulate the massive flow of people, but also support the preservation of the unique lagoon city. Many residents emphasize that it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to master their everyday life normally. While you want to enjoy the charm of your city yourself, tourist masses are often in the way. A look at the city's streets reveals a lot about the challenges with which the residents have to fight.

most popular travel destinations and their challenges

The trend to travel to overcrowded hotspots has led to an investigation by the holiday home booking portal Holidu. Using data from the market research company Euromonitor International from 2023, it was determined how many tourists come to a resident. Dubrovnik in Croatia leads the list, closely followed by Rhodes in Greece and Venice.

Dubrovnik is at the top with breathtaking 27 tourists per inhabitant. The city is not only famous for its impressive architecture, but also as a location of the HBO series "Game of Thrones". The effects of mass tourism are clearly visible in the clogged streets and overcrowded sights. For travelers who want to enjoy this beauty without crowds, a trip in the low season could be a relaxing alternative.

rhodes, the Greek island, comes to 26 tourists per inhabitant. Once a tranquil retreat, it is now overrun by travelers. Nevertheless, there are still quiet places on this island such as Vlycha Bay or Gennadi, where visitors can relax.

The list of heavily frequented cities

to third place follows Venice with 21 tourists per inhabitant. As already mentioned, the city is planning measures as a precaution to control the number of visitors and thus ensure the quality of life of the residents. Alternatives for tourists represent moderate quarters such as Cannaregio or Sant’elena, where the hustle and bustle may be stored.

The top five is completed by Heraklion in Greece, which has 18 tourists per inhabitant and Florence in Italy with 14 tourists per inhabitant. Both cities are known for their impressive history and culture, but they too suffer from overload from tourists.

In a world in which sustainable tourism is becoming increasingly important, the more common protests in Mallorca and the Canary Islands show that the locals are demanding a rethink. It becomes clear that the development of tourism not only has advantages for travelers today, but also brings great challenges for the places visited.

A look at the future of travel

The dynamics of travel changes steadily, and travelers have to become aware of the responsibility that goes hand in hand with their excursions. While you enjoy the beauty of European cities, it is important to respect the needs of the residents. In the future, a balance between tourist development and the preservation of the local quality of life could be the key to sustainable and responsible trips.

The aspects of overtourism are not only limited to the tourist hotspots. More and more regions and smaller cities are experiencing an increase in the number of visitors, which has so far hardly been regulated. The trend towards short -term rental, often through platforms such as Airbnb, has also reached rural areas. There, houses that were previously inhabited by locals are rented out for tourists, which exacerbates the living conditions for the local population and leads to an increase in rental prices.

In many countries, governments and local authorities react to these developments with different strategies. Some cities, such as Barcelona, have already introduced downtimes for tourist accommodations, while others, like Venice, rely on entrance fees to better control the rush. These measures aim to minimize the negative effects of mass tourism on the local population and the infrastructure.

Influence of COVID-19 pandemic on tourism

Covid 19 pandemic has severely affected global tourism. From 2020, many travel destinations experienced unprecedented declines in the number of visitors. However, the resulting restrictions also led to a short -term relief for heavily frequented cities. This time was used by some communities to develop new strategies for more sustainable tourism management.

According to a report of the UNWO (United Nations World Tourism Organization), the global number of international tourists is once again over 400 million in 2021. Compared to 2019, when 1.5 billion international tourists were recorded, this is a dramatic decline. When reviving travel, many destinations began to focus on the possibility of sustainable tourism. The locals are increasingly demanding a return to a moderate tourism that benefits the community instead of burdening them.

Gloabl trends in tourism

The trend towards sustainable travel is no longer just a marginal note. Many travelers are aware of the ecological and social effects of their travels and are actively looking for environmentally friendly alternatives. According to a survey by Booking.com from 2023, 81 % of travelers stated that they considered sustainable trips to be important and willing to pay more.

In addition, a study shows that destinations that promote sustainable practices will probably have a higher number of visitors in the coming years. Travelers are increasingly looking for experiences that are both authentic and environmentally conscious, which forces many cities to rethink their approaches and adapt their offers accordingly. The implementation of sustainable practices in tourism is not only a trend, but also becomes increasingly a need.

In view of these developments, it can be seen that rethinking in the tourism sector is required. In order to maintain the balance between the needs of travelers and the quality of life of the locals, innovative solutions and the cooperation of everyone involved are required. This is the only way to master the challenges of overtourism in the long term.