Overcoming overtourism: a review of failure

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and review attempts at mitigation and prevention of overtourism and to outline reasons for the failure to date of such efforts.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is a perspective paper and draws on an examination of relevant literature on the subject through the lens of a conceptual framework. It outlines the changing roles of tourism development and marketing organisations and the failure of public sector agencies to control and manage tourism. The varying methods of limiting tourist numbers are examined, and their weaknesses are presented.FindingsConclusions reveal that there are a series of global trends that are contributing to the appearance and continuation of overtourism and which, to date, are proving immune to mitigation and resolution for specific reasons. These include a lack of willingness to accept the problem of tourist numbers and to reduce or effectively manage these at all levels, from local to international.Research limitations/implicationsPresent approaches to mitigation need to be revisited and better integrated with management and control of all aspects of development and framed to achieve and retain political support at all levels.Originality/valueThere has been little attempt before to analyse the reasons for the failure to effectively mitigate or prevent overtourism, and this paper makes an original contribution in this area in that it is an evaluation of what is known and a summary of shortcomings within the industry and academia.