When Travelers Become a Burden. An Economic Conceptualisation of Overtourism and Tourism Policy Options for Combating It

The worldwide rapid growth of demand for holiday trips in many attractive destinations, especially cities, leads to an over-concentration of tourists, which is discussed in the broader public under the term of overtourism. Residents of tourism destinations suffer from various negative consequences like increasing rents, impairments in everyday life and environmental problems. Policies confining overtourism may be based on regulations, price measures and increased investment, but also the use of new information technologies. Furthermore, it may be necessary to reconsider an unconditional growth strategy often pursued by tourism organisations.