SYNTHESIS OF REPORTS FROM INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
The following is an integrated synthesis on the phenomenon of overtourism, based on the main reports and studies prepared by international organizations such as UN Tourism, the World Travel & Tourism Council, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, the Inter-American Development Bank, the European Commission, CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the World Bank.
The objective is to integrate the institutional, conceptual, and public policy approaches developed by these organizations to understand and address the growing problem of overtourism in the contemporary world.
1. Introduction: The Emergence of the Overtourism Concept
During the last two decades, international tourism has experienced unprecedented growth. According to UN Tourism estimates, international arrivals rose from approximately 680 million in 2000 to over 1.5 billion in 2025, consolidating tourism as one of the most dynamic global economic activities. This growth has generated significant economic, social, and cultural benefits for numerous destinations, especially in developing countries.
However, the success of tourism has also created new challenges for sustainability and governance, particularly in destinations where the volume of visitors exceeds the capacity of the territories to absorb them without affecting the residents’ quality of life, heritage conservation, and/or the quality of the tourist experience.
In this context, the concept of overtourism emerged—a term that began to spread widely in the mid-2010s to describe situations of tourism saturation in urban, heritage, or natural destinations. The phenomenon is characterized by a growing perception, by both residents and visitors, that tourism has exceeded socially acceptable levels.
Reports from international organizations agree that overtourism is not simply a problem of the quantity of tourists, but the result of a combination of structural factors, including:
- Spatial concentration of tourism
- Temporal concentration of demand
- Technological changes in tourism intermediation
- Expansion of digital accommodation platforms
- Increase in global mobility
2. Definition and Conceptualization of Overtourism
The UN Tourism report titled Overtourism? Understanding and Managing Urban Tourism Growth beyond Perceptions proposes a widely cited definition:
Overtourism occurs when the impact of tourism in a destination exceeds the physical, ecological, social, and/or psychological capacity of the territory to absorb it without significant deterioration.
This definition incorporates several key dimensions:
- Physical capacity: Urban infrastructure, transportation, public services.
- Environmental capacity: Impacts on ecosystems, natural resources, and heritage.
- Social capacity: Local community tolerance toward tourism activity.
- Experiential capacity: Quality of the experience for the tourists themselves.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) emphasizes that the phenomenon should be understood as a problem of tourism governance rather than simply tourism demand growth. In other words, overtourism arises when planning and management systems fail to adapt to the pace of tourism demand expansion.
3. Structural Factors Explaining the Growth of Overtourism
The analyzed reports identify various factors that have driven the accelerated growth of global tourism.
3.1 The Air Transport Revolution
The expansion of low-cost airlines has significantly reduced international transport costs, allowing broad sectors of the population to access international travel. This process has been especially relevant in Europe and Asia. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) report highlights that air transport liberalization and the increase in international routes have decisively contributed to the expansion of urban and cultural destinations.
3.2 Digital Platforms and the Sharing Economy
Peer-to-peer accommodation platforms have transformed the tourism market. These platforms allow for the rapid incorporation of large amounts of accommodation supply in residential and tourist areas, generating effects on the real estate market and the social structure of urban neighborhoods.
According to European Commission analysis, the expansion of holiday rentals has contributed to:
- Gentrification
- Rising housing prices
- Displacement of residents
3.3 Social Media and Digital Marketing
Social media has generated a strong concentration of demand in certain destinations or even specific points within cities. Places that were previously relatively unknown have been transformed into global tourism icons thanks to their virtual dissemination.
3.4 Spatial Concentration of Tourism
One of the central elements of overtourism is the geographic concentration of visitors. Studies by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) show that in many destinations, the majority of visitors are concentrated in relatively small areas. This phenomenon is especially visible in historic centers or heritage areas.
4. Main Affected Destinations
International reports agree on identifying a series of destinations where overtourism has been particularly visible.
4.1 Europe
Among the most studied cases are:
- Barcelona, Venice, Amsterdam, Dubrovnik, and Santorini.
These cities face pressures related to the growth of cruise ships, the expansion of holiday rentals, and the concentration of visitors in historic centers.
4.2 Latin America
In Latin America, the phenomenon manifests primarily in heritage and natural destinations, such as:
- Machu Picchu, Cusco, Easter Island, Rio de Janeiro, Cartagena de Indias, and Cancún.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has highlighted that the main challenge in the region is balancing tourism growth with the protection of cultural and natural heritage.
4.3 Asia
In Asia, the phenomenon affects destinations such as:
- Kyoto, Bali, and Phuket.
PATA reports show that regional tourism growth has generated significant pressure on infrastructure and ecosystems.
5. Impacts of Overtourism
Studies by international organizations identify four major categories of impacts.
5.1 Social Impacts
Excessive tourism growth can generate tensions between residents and visitors. In various European cities, social movements have emerged questioning tourism expansion and demanding stricter public policies.
Key effects include:
- Urban congestion
- Loss of local identity
- Displacement of residents
5.2 Economic Impacts
While tourism generates significant income, overtourism can produce economic distortions, such as:
- Over-dependence on tourism
- Increase in real estate prices
- Job insecurity in the sector
- Negative economic externalities
The World Bank warns that excessive tourism specialization can increase the economic vulnerability of destinations.
5.3 Environmental Impacts
Fragile ecosystems can be severely affected by excessive visitors. Common impacts include:
- Environmental degradation
- Waste generation
- Pressure on water resources
5.4 Impacts on the Tourist Experience
Paradoxically, overtourism also negatively affects the experience of the tourists themselves. Congestion and saturation can reduce tourist satisfaction and negatively affect the destination’s image.”
6. Overtourism Management Strategies
International organizations agree that overtourism can be addressed through integrated public tourism management policies.
6.1. Tourism Flow Management
One of the most widely used strategies consists of regulating the number of visitors through:
- Booking systems
- Daily visitor limits
- Staggered schedules
- Entry fees
The case of Machu Picchu is frequently cited as an example of carrying capacity management.
6.2. Territorial Diversification of Tourism
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recommends promoting alternative destinations to reduce pressure on saturated areas.
6.3. Regulation of Tourist Accommodation
Many destinations have introduced regulations to limit the growth of holiday rentals. These measures include:
- Mandatory licenses
- Neighborhood-specific limits
- Land-use controls
6.4. Cruise Ship Management
The growth of cruise tourism has been a major factor in the saturation of port cities. Various destinations have introduced:
- Limits on the number of ships
- Port fees
- Schedule regulations
6.5. Tourism Taxes
Some destinations have implemented tourism taxes aimed at financing sustainability policies and tourism management.
7. Technological Innovations in Tourism Management
International organizations highlight the potential of digital technologies to improve tourism management. Among the emerging tools are:
- Big data analysis
- Visitor flow monitoring
- Smart destination management systems
- Artificial Intelligence
CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean has promoted the concept of Smart Tourism Destinations, which integrate technology, sustainability, and governance.
8. Toward a New Model of Tourism Governance
The analyzed reports agree that overtourism demands a new governance approach based on three fundamental principles:
8.1. Sustainability
Tourism must be developed in a manner compatible with environmental protection and the quality of life of local communities.
8.2. Community Participation and Territorial Planning
- Tourism planning must incorporate the voices of residents.
- Tourism must be integrated into urban and regional development policies.
9. Conclusions
The phenomenon of overtourism represents one of the primary challenges of contemporary tourism. While tourism growth has generated significant economic benefits, it has also revealed the limitations of traditional planning and management models.
Reports from international organizations—such as UN Tourism, WTTC, OECD, PATA, IDB, European Commission, CAF, and the World Bank—concur that the problem lies not only in the volume of tourists but in how tourism is distributed and managed within a territory.
The challenge for 21st-century tourism destinations is to balance economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social well-being through innovative public policies. these must allow for the benefits of tourism to be harnessed without compromising the quality of life of local communities or the conservation of natural and cultural heritage.
Comparative analysis of different realities demonstrates that overtourism is not a homogeneous phenomenon but takes different forms depending on the destination. The most effective policies combine regulation, territorial planning, technological innovation, and community participation.
In this sense, the debate on overtourism should not be understood merely as a critique of tourism growth, but as an opportunity to rethink the global tourism development model and move toward more balanced, responsible, and sustainable forms of tourism.