A recent visit to the mountainside mansion in Sintra, Portugal, highlights the issues of overtourism that have been affecting various destinations worldwide. The great-grandson of the mansion’s builder, Martinho de Almada Pimentel, describes a sense of isolation in his own home due to the overwhelming number of tourists visiting the area. With 5,000 visitors a day queuing outside the house on their way to Pena Palace, Pimentel feels frustrated and angry as he navigates through the chaos created by the influx of tourists. These issues have been compounded by the surge in global tourism post-pandemic, driven by revenge travel and digital nomad campaigns.
The consequences of overtourism are evident in many popular tourist destinations, leading to traffic jams, housing shortages, and water management problems. Locals in these areas have begun to push back against the overwhelming number of visitors, using social media and protests to demand better management from destination leaders. Housing prices driven up by short-term rentals like Airbnb have become a universal issue, prompting some destinations to focus on “quality tourism” that considers the well-being of residents and promotes responsible visitor behavior.
The term “overtourism” has become a buzzword that fails to capture the complexity of the issue, according to experts. While the surge in tourism has brought economic benefits, it has also strained infrastructure and disrupted the lives of those who call these destinations home. Japan, for example, has imposed restrictions on tourist activities to combat overcrowding, while protests in Spain have targeted water management issues and housing price spikes. The rapid growth in tourism has also resulted in challenges for airlines, with overcrowded airports and overwhelmed services causing inconveniences for travelers.
In response to the challenges posed by overtourism, destination leaders are exploring strategies to manage the influx of visitors more effectively. In Portugal, efforts are underway to address the issues in Sintra, one of the country’s wealthiest regions known for its historic sites and scenic beauty. Measures such as limiting ticket sales to historic sites and investing in parking infrastructure aim to alleviate the strain on local residents. However, residents, organized into groups like QSintra, continue to advocate for better communication and policies that prioritize the well-being of those who live in these popular tourist destinations.
As tourism continues to surge and evolve rapidly, experts emphasize the need for more research and proactive management to address the challenges of overtourism. While tourists bring economic benefits to destinations, the strain on infrastructure, housing markets, and local communities underscores the importance of sustainable tourism practices. By balancing the needs of visitors and residents, destination leaders can work towards creating more inclusive and responsible tourism models that benefit both travelers and the communities they visit.
