September 10, 2025 | 07:13 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Overtourism can harm the quality of life of local communities. Therefore, the Japanese government has formed a special body to address the impact of overtourism.
"Crimes and disorderly conduct by some foreigners, as well as the inappropriate use of various administrative systems, have created a situation in which the public feels uneasy and cheated," said Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the inauguration ceremony last June.
Overtourism refers to a situation in which the number of tourists visiting a destination exceeds the capacity that can be managed sustainably, both in terms of environmental, infrastructure, and socio-cultural aspects. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), this phenomenon occurs when the negative impact of tourism reduces the quality of life of local communities while also decreasing the quality of the tourist experience.
This phenomenon is not solely determined by the large number of tourists, but rather by the imbalance between visitor numbers and the destination's capacity to handle them sustainably. Exceeding the carrying capacity increases pressure on the environment, infrastructure, and social life. This can reduce the quality of the tourist experience and lower the standard of living for residents.
World's 5 Cities Experiencing Overtourism
Several cities around the world are also grappling with the issue of overtourism. Citing various sources, including the Independent, here are five cities that have been affected:
1. Venice, Italy
In response to UNESCO's warning about the risk of permanent damage to its historic areas, Venice has implemented an entry fee of 5 euros for tourists who visit between 08.30 to 16.00 during the spring and summer seasons. This policy aims to control the influx of tourists, which reaches 30 million per year.
2. Athens, Greece
Since September 2023, the government of Athens, Greece, has limited daily visits to the Acropolis, an ancient monument, to 20,000 people. Tourists are required to book their visit slots in advance between 08.00 to 20.00. According to Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, the goal of this policy is to protect the monument while improving the visitor experience.
3. Barcelona, Spain
In April 2024, Barcelona increased the tourist tax for guests staying in five-star hotels from 5.25 euros to 6.75 euros per night. This additional tax is paid to the Generalitat of Barcelona and the city government and is separate from the general tourist tax. The goal is to mitigate the effects of overtourism.
4. Paris, France
French Minister of Tourism, Olivia Gregoire, announced measures to control tourism last June. These efforts include limiting the number of tourists and offering support to regional governments that are experiencing an increase in visitors.
5. Oahu, United States
Hawaii has limited the number of tourists to preserve the environment, restore coral reefs, and maintain national parks and hiking trails. The local government also plans to implement a $25 tourism fee for visitors staying at hotels or short-term rental properties.
Baiti Wulandari, Mila Novita, and Winda Oktavia contributed to the writing of this article
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