Overtourism and the Transformation of Urban Spaces: Governance, Social Inequality, and Environmental Challenges

Overtourism is reshaping urban spaces globally, highlighting the contradictions of tourism in a rapidly changing world. While tourism offers opportunities for economic growth and cultural exchange, its unregulated expansion generates profound issues, such as the commodification of urban culture, the displacement of local residents through gentrification, and the environmental degradation of cities struggling to balance visitor influx with the communities' well-being.

In cities like Venice, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and even Bangkok and Kyoto, overtourism pressures transform local identities and economies. The rise of short-term rentals and tourism-focused businesses distorts economies and pushes residents out of city centers, exacerbating housing shortages and deepening social inequalities. Public infrastructure, transportation, and cultural sites are overwhelmed, resulting in increased waste, pollution, and deteriorating urban environments. These developments contribute to what scholars term "urbanicide," where cities lose their essence and become tourist attractions prioritizing profit over sustainability, fuelling protests and the emergence of "tourists go home" movements.

This presentation explores the governance challenges posed by overtourism and the strategies cities are using to address these issues while rethinking urban tourism. By examining case studies from Europe and Asia, it highlights governance responses and policy innovations, such as limiting tourist accommodations, increasing regulations on short-term rentals, encouraging community participation in urban planning, and promoting sustainable tourism models. The goal is to examine whether existing strategies are sufficient or whether a more radical approach is needed to address the inequalities and environmental impacts of tourism in cities.

The research finds that while some policies provide temporary relief, most fail to address the deeper socio-environmental impacts of overtourism. It concludes by proposing pathways for more sustainable urban tourism models that balance economic growth with cultural preservation and environmental resilience. Bold governance and greater community involvement emerge as critical factors in safeguarding urban spaces for both residents and visitors.