What It Is
Tourism is a global industry where people travel to other places to stay for a short period for leisure, business, or culture. In international tourism, tourists visit other countries, while domestic tourists go to places in their own country. Tourists often go sightseeing to visit famous historical sites, museums, and landmarks. Seaside destinations are also popular, as are areas of physical beauty for hiking, walking, and outdoor recreation. Today, cheap flights, budget cruise holidays, and expanded transportation links have made travelling accessible to more people than ever before.
While tourism creates jobs and enables people to travel and have new experiences, it also causes severe problems when a destination receives far more visitors than its infrastructure and local communities can support. This phenomenon, known as overtourism, damages the quality of life for local residents and is a growing issue in many popular places worldwide.
Violeta’s story: Violeta, a primary school teacher, lived in a central apartment in Barcelona for ten years. Two years ago, her landlord decided not to renew her contract. He wanted to turn the building into expensive short-term rentals for tourists. Violeta searched for months, but could not find an affordable place to live near her school. Property prices had doubled across the city centre. Most of the small family grocery stores in her old neighbourhood have now been replaced by souvenir shops and fashionable cafes. "I love welcoming people to my city," Violeta says, "but when local residents can no longer afford to live here, the community loses its heart."
Marco’s story: Marco drives a public water taxi in Venice, where narrow streets and ancient bridges are crowded with thousands of visitors every day. While tourism brings customers, Marco watches the daily strain that this puts on the city. Huge cruise ships pass near historic buildings. They cause underwater waves that damage fragile foundations, while streets become so blocked that elderly residents struggle to walk to the local pharmacy. Waste accumulates quickly in crowded areas. Because of this, local authorities spend millions of euros managing rubbish that has been thrown away by tourists, instead of fixing public services. "Venice is an amazing place to visit," Marco says, "but we need rules to protect our environment and daily lives before it is too late."
Economic inequality and low wages: Large international hotel chains, airlines, and digital booking platforms often keep most of the financial profits from global tourism. Meanwhile, local workers frequently face low pay, long hours, and temporary seasonal jobs without basic security or health benefits. Ensuring fair pay and permanent employment contracts helps spread tourism profits directly to local workers.
Environmental damage and resource waste: Overtourism uses massive amounts of local water and energy while producing heavy garbage and pollution in popular destinations. Local communities are often left to deal with water shortages and dirty streets caused by crowds of visitors. Regulating tourist numbers and enforcing strict waste rules can help to protect precious natural resources.
Housing shortages and rising rents: When residential apartments are converted into short-term tourist rentals, the supply of long-term housing drops rapidly. Consequently, property prices and monthly rents increase, forcing local families and workers to move away from their original neighbourhoods. City governments can protect local housing by limiting short-term tourist rentals and setting rent limits.
Cultural loss and commercialisation: When sacred places, local customs, and traditional festivals are turned into commercial products for tourists, their original cultural meaning can be lost. Residents often feel like their daily lives and traditions are being performed as entertainment rather than respected as genuine culture. Involving local communities in managing historic sites ensures that traditions are preserved with dignity.
Local voice and government decisions: Tourism policies are frequently created by government officials and corporate leaders without asking local residents for their input. As a result, commercial profit is often prioritised over community needs, public transport, and local environment protection. Giving citizens a direct voice in city planning creates balanced tourism policies that benefit both visitors and locals.
(1) Definition: オーバーツーリズムとは？原因や影響、問題点や対策を具体例付きで解説
(2) Barcelona protests: オーバーツーリズムでバルセロナが悲鳴 地元住民らが反発デモ、観光客に水鉄砲も
(3) Crackdown in Japan: The Asahi Shimbun. (12 March 2026). Overtourism crackdown expands amid record visitors. https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16417542
(4) Global solutions: Deutsche Welle. (6 March 2025). What is the answer to overtourism? https://www.dw.com/en/what-is-the-answer-to-overtourism/a-72700713
(5) Labour shortages: NHK World Japan. (13 May 2026). Japan's restaurants struggle for international staff after visa freeze. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/4790/
(1) Japan tourism crisis: France 24 English. (10 February 2025). Japan faces overtourism crisis as record numbers visit. (2 minutes 16 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD2CoW-t9lA
(2) Spain protests: BBC News. (20 June 2025). Spain anti-tourism protests take place across the country. (5 minutes 25 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FpGRCVxKio
(3) Tourism pollution: CBC News. (22 April 2026). Japan works to fix its ‘tourism pollution’ problem. (2 minutes 21 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyWvKaoHDL4
What do you find interesting, surprising, or worrying about Tourism/Overtourism issues?
What specific issue do you want to research further regarding Tourism/Overtourism? Why?
What focus do you want to take in your inquiry:
Individual: Personal experiences and perspectives
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Organisational: Actions taken by local or regional organisations
Systemic: Law, policy, human rights, or international frameworks
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4. Write down your initial research questions and your next steps.