Overtourism and Destination Management: A Global Challenge
As global travel continues to grow, a persistent issue is putting pressure on some of the world’s most celebrated destinations: overtourism. From the historic canals of Venice to the temples of Kyoto, many iconic places are struggling to balance visitor demand with environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and community well-being.
The Problem: When Popularity Becomes a Burden
Overtourism occurs when the number of visitors to a destination exceeds its capacity to manage them sustainably. This can lead to:
-
Environmental degradation and resource strain
-
Rising housing prices driven by short-term rentals
-
Loss of cultural authenticity and local identity
-
Visitor dissatisfaction due to overcrowding
-
Community frustration and social tensions
Today, overtourism is not just a seasonal phenomenon—it’s an ongoing issue in many parts of Europe and Asia, where high volumes of tourists continue to stretch infrastructure and ecosystems to their limits.
Global Destinations Taking Action
-
Venice, Italy has introduced a €5 entry fee for day-trippers and banned large cruise ships from its historic center to preserve its heritage and control visitor flows.
-
Kyoto, Japan is leveraging technology to guide visitors to lesser-known areas using smart tourism tools and real-time data, reducing pressure on overcrowded sites.
-
Bali, Indonesia is enforcing new visitor levies and considering quotas to maintain a balance between tourism growth and community well-being.
A High-Yield Approach: Value Over Volume
At High-Yield Tourism, we believe the solution to overtourism lies in smarter, more strategic destination management. This doesn’t mean turning away visitors—it means attracting the right visitors who bring greater economic, cultural, and social value with less impact.
Key strategies include:
-
Visitor Caps and Timed Entry
-
Tourism Dispersal
-
Short-Term Rental Regulation
-
Community Involvement
- Smart Technology
Reimagining Success
Overtourism is not simply about the number of visitors—it’s about the systems in place to manage them. Rethinking success in tourism means focusing on quality, sustainability, and long-term resilience, not just headline visitor numbers.
By aligning tourism strategies with high-yield principles, destinations can achieve a healthier balance—one where tourism enhances rather than overwhelms the places people love to visit.
📢 Explore more on how leading destinations are tackling overtourism
🎧 Listen to the High-Yield Tourism Podcast for expert insights from around the world.
👉 Browse Episodes
more insights
Tourism Today: A Landscape in Flux
Tourism Today: A Landscape in Flux Recent years have dramatically changed the tourism ecosystem. Following COVID-19, volatile travel patterns have emerged, driven by several key
Market Segmentation in Tourism: The Strategic Approach to Maximizing Revenue
Market Segmentation in Tourism: The Strategic Approach to Maximizing Revenue In the ever-evolving landscape of the visitor economy, merely aiming for increased visitor numbers no
High-Yield Tourism Isn’t About Luxury – It’s About Fit
High-Yield Tourism Isn’t About Luxury – It’s About Fit For decades, the term “high-yield tourism” has been shorthand for luxury, five-star resorts, premium experiences, and
High-Yield Tourism
68 Circular Road #02-01
Singapore 049422
Email: hello@highyieldtourism.com
Sign-up to receive updates about High-Yield Tourism, industry news, and reports.
