September 10, 2025 | 04:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism is often celebrated for boosting local economies, creating jobs, and fostering cultural exchange. But when visitor numbers overwhelm a destination’s capacity to manage them sustainably, it can trigger a phenomenon known as overtourism.
What Is Overtourism?
Overtourism refers to the condition where the number of visitors at a destination exceeds its environmental, social, and infrastructural limits. This not only strains local resources but also diminishes the quality of life for residents and the experience for visitors themselves.
According to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), overtourism arises when the negative impacts of tourism,ranging from environmental damage to cultural disruption—begin to outweigh its benefits.
Japan’s Response to Tourist Overcrowding
Japan offers a recent case study. Following a sharp rise in tourist arrivals after the COVID-19 pandemic, the government established a special body in 2025 to tackle overtourism. Complaints have mounted over gridlock in Kyoto, environmental degradation on Mount Fuji, and disruptions to residents’ daily lives.
By mid-2025, Japan recorded 21.5 million foreign arrivals, a 21 percent jump from the previous year. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba acknowledged public frustration, citing cases of disorderly behavior and misuse of administrative systems by some foreign visitors.
The Consequences of Overtourism
The impacts of overtourism are wide-ranging:
Environmental damage: Popular destinations like Australia’s Great Barrier Reef have suffered permanent harm. Coral bleaching from climate change is being compounded by pollution and physical damage from tourist activity.
Cultural erosion: In Venice and Kyoto, the traditions and rhythms of local life are increasingly displaced by tourism-driven demands. Even in Machu Picchu, indigenous communities are struggling to preserve their cultural identity.
Unequal economic benefits: While tourism generates substantial income, profits often flow to international corporations. Local communities, meanwhile, receive only a fraction of the financial gains.
How Destinations Are Fighting Back
In response, several world-famous destinations have introduced stricter policies to curb overcrowding:
Venice has introduced a tourist tax and capped the number of group tours.
Amsterdam has banned cruise ships from docking in its historic center.
Kyoto has restricted access to certain neighborhoods to protect residents from disruption.
Finding a Balance: Toward Sustainable Tourism
While overtourism poses serious challenges, tourism remains vital for local and global economies. The solution lies in sustainable tourism, practices that balance visitor demand with the protection of cultural heritage and natural environments.
Encouraging responsible behavior among travelers, limiting visitor numbers where necessary, and ensuring that local communities share fairly in tourism profits are crucial steps to preserving destinations for future generations.
Baiti Wulandari, Mila Novita, and Valmai Alzena Karla contributed to the writing of this article.
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