UNWTO Issues New Report Addressing Overtourism

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:30 PM ET, Thu March 7, 2019

There is no one-size fits all approach for tackling overtourism.

Successful strategies need to be context-specific, according to a newly released report from the United Nations World Tourism Organization called "Overtourism? Understanding and Managing Urban Tourism Growth Beyond Perceptions: Case Studies."

"Urban tourism is multifaceted and requires a city-wide strategy with cooperation between all stakeholders and the inclusion of tourism in the urban agenda", said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. "Sustainable and inclusive cities must mean creating cities for all: citizens, investors, and visitors."

The new UNWTO report provides examples of specific measures being implemented in cities across the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific and Europe. A total of 18 case studies are examined as part of the just-released publication covering such popular destinations as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Prague, and Venice.

There is a connecting thread between the fundamental challenges facing popular destinations around the globe, according to the UNWTO. These include congestion in specific locations and sites at specific moments, mobility, pressure on infrastructure and resources, decrease in 'place' authenticity and impact on social fabrics and residents daily lives.

"Consequently, the most common measures currently being implemented by destinations relate to the dispersal of visitors within the city and beyond, showing the pressing need to manage tourism congestion in certain areas and attractions," said the UNWTO in a statement.

Taking action to improve city infrastructure and facilities is also frequently mentioned in the case studies included in the new report, reflecting the fact that many challenges are linked not only to the growing number of visitors but also to the pressure placed by residents, commuters, and tourists on the city's resources and services.

Altogether the report showcases 11 strategies to help popular destinations better understand and manage visitor growth and overtourism, among them:

-Promote the dispersal of visitors within the city and beyond

-Promote time-based dispersal of visitors

-Stimulate new visitor itineraries and attractions

-Review and adapt regulation

-Enhance visitors' segmentation

-Ensure local communities benefit from tourism

-Create city experiences that benefit both residents and visitors

-Improve city infrastructure and facilities

-Communicate with and engage local stakeholders

-Communicate with and engage visitors; and

-Set monitoring and response measures