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Tracey Poggio chairman ANTOR

Overtourism: Is it a reality, is it under control?

Tracey Poggio, chairman of ANTOR, looks into the real story behind overtourism.

What is overtourism? Responsible travellers define it as ?when there are too many visitors to a particular destination?. 

?Too many? is a subjective term, of course, but it is defined in each destination by local residents, hosts, business owners and tourists. Examples include: rent prices pushing out locals to make way for holiday rentals; narrow roads jammed with tourist vehicles; wildlife scared away; tourists unable to view landmarks because of the crowds, or fragile environments becoming degraded.

ANTOR destinations are well aware of the effects overtourism can have on the local environment as well as on the tourist experience. Destinations are learning from each other and past experiences by imposing restrictions on numbers, encouraging year round travel and local engagement especially in the alternative accommodation sector.

Tobago, Aruba and Samoa are yet to be affected and are taking precautions for the future. Aruba is supporting sustainable growth by capping the number of all-inclusive properties, promoting ATA-approved alternative accommodation and encouraging year-round travel. Meanwhile, Samoa is monitoring new cruise arrivals, working with locals to ensure cruise passengers and residents find the experience mutually positive.

Tunisia, however, is working hard to regain the tourist numbers reached before the 2015 terrorist attack by rebuilding confidence with encouraging results in 2018 from the UK. The ministry is working steadily on a sustainable tourism policy, respectful of the environment, encouraging the consumption of local produce and involving the local population. They no longer encourage massive beachfront hotels. Instead, they?re facilitating and incentivising Tunisians to start new types of accommodation called ?dars? (boutique hotels) which are in harmony with their environment and communities. They are aware that all-inclusive and mass tourism threaten Tunisia?s natural resources and have introduced a local tax on hotel stays to improve infrastructure and the environment around the resorts.

Botswana realised early in its tourism journey that its landscapes and wildlife provided the most amazing, if fragile, eco-systems. The government implemented policies which meant that these wilderness areas, with their diversity of wildlife, would be preserved as carefully as possible for the future. They are designating over 30% of the country as national parks and game reserves. These areas are not fenced, allowing animals to move freely, but there are restrictions on building, driving at night, off-track driving and the number of vehicles at sightings. The number of beds in camps and lodges is limited to 24. The cost of visiting is higher, but the value to the consumer is greater for the exclusive experience.

Germany is in a good position to accommodate visitors all year. Their 2019 marketing campaign highlights the availability of rooms in cities at great rates over summer, but the trade is asked to be mindful of exhibitions etc., when making bookings in cities at other times.

CzechTourismUK has an alternative city and regional gateways campaign, showcasing the wider country, following the lead of the Netherlands, which is a great example of reacting to overtourism. Prague has set a maximum number of visitors at 10m a year ? although increasing every year this is still under 8m. To spread tourists further afield than the historic centre, the long-term strategy of Prague City Tourism is promoting neighbourhoods such as Prague District 7.

In Sweden, Gothenburg is being developed as a sustainable destination, so that everyone who lives there benefits from the growing hospitality industry. Crowded hotspots are still unusual in Sweden so they are in a good position to communicate how tourism can play a positive role in keeping towns and villages alive.

Visitor numbers to Gibraltar are within healthy parameters, but the protection of historical sites and attractions is continually assessed. The Upper Rock area was officially designated a Reserve in 1993 to help protect biodiversity and the natural habitat. Only officially licensed vehicles can take visitors up the rock and walking nature trails are used to encourage foot traffic.

While ANTOR members are only a small snapshot, globally we see a varying picture of the advancement of the potential impact from over tourism. With global travel figures on a yearly upward trend, it is reassuring that destinations have this issue on their radar and can responsibly plan for future challenges.



Travel Bulletin

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