Impact of Overcrowding on Tourist Hotspots

Each summer, millions of people travel globally for vacations. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, international arrivals are projected to be 2% higher than in 2019, before the pandemic.

However, this surge in travel has led to overcrowding in many popular tourism hotspots. In some European cities, this has even resulted in protests, with locals urging tourists to "go home."

Places like Amsterdam are now taking measures once thought unimaginable, such as actively discouraging visitors. Understanding and addressing tourism overcrowding is crucial.

Understanding Tourism Overcrowding

Overcrowding happens when many people visit the same location simultaneously. It involves three main aspects:

1. Overcrowding is tangible, creating stress and diminishing the quality of the experience.
2. People feel more crowded when faced with conflicting behaviors, like avoiding skateboarders and vendors on a busy sidewalk compared to attending a crowded music festival where everyone behaves similarly.
3. Overcrowding is subjective and varies by individual perception.

The local perspective is essential. For instance, residents in Barcelona have been known to spray tourists with water guns as a form of protest, highlighting their frustration.

The concept of the host-guest covenant suggests that tourists should stick to designated tourist areas to avoid intruding on residential neighborhoods. With the rise of short-term rentals, visitors are spreading into non-touristic areas, seeking more "authentic" experiences, which can exacerbate problems for residents.

Coping with Overcrowding

People handle overcrowding in four primary ways:

1. Adjusting travel plans to avoid crowded spots.
2. Rationalizing the situation to deal with cognitive dissonance, such as accepting crowds at the Louvre because it’s seen as a must-visit for the Mona Lisa.
3. Product shift, where people downgrade their perception of a place to justify its crowded state, like calling a once-quiet town now overly touristy.
4. Direct action, such as complaining to authorities or posting reviews to offer advice on avoiding crowds.

Residents and tourists use similar strategies but with a greater emphasis on managing displacement and navigating crowds.

Social Media’s Role

Some believe social media has worsened tourism. It has turned travel into a visible status symbol, shifting from sharing printed photos with friends to instant online posts. The quest for the most “Instagrammable” experiences drives tourists to popular destinations, reinforcing overcrowding as more people flock to the same places.

Post-pandemic travel is likely to focus on familiar, “safer” destinations in the Global North, where tourists feel assured of a worthwhile experience. Despite the discomfort, the presence of many people often feels safer and more rewarding than venturing alone.