Overtourism refers to the excessive growth of tourism in a destination, resulting in strain on infrastructure, natural resources, and cultural heritage. It often manifests in overcrowded attractions, rising costs of living for residents, and environmental degradation. Cities like Venice, Barcelona, and Dubrovnik, as well as natural sites such as national parks, have become well-known examples. While tourism brings economic benefits, overtourism highlights the challenges of balancing visitor demand with sustainability and quality of life for local communities. Efforts to address overtourism include visitor caps, seasonal travel promotion, and the development of sustainable tourism policies.
A new UN Tourism report highlights the world’s fastest-growing destinations in 2025, with strong rebounds across Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe.
Japan welcomed a record number of international visitors in 2025, even as arrivals from China fell sharply late in the year amid rising diplomatic tensions.
Rome will begin charging tourists a small fee to access the Trevi Fountain’s inner viewing area in 2026, aiming to reduce crowding and protect one of the city’s most visited landmarks.
Spain has imposed a €65 million fine on Airbnb for advertising tens of thousands of unlicensed tourist rentals, signaling a tougher stance on short-term rentals amid a growing housing crisis.
Japan is set to raise visa charges, departure levies and tax-free shopping rules in 2026 as travel demand surges and authorities shift toward sustainable tourism.
Starting March 2026, Kyoto will implement Japan’s highest-ever hotel tax to combat overtourism and protect the city’s cultural heritage.
Tenerife has introduced a new eco-tax as record-breaking tourism numbers put growing pressure on the Canary Islands’ environment and local communities.
Venice will reimpose its daytripper fee in 2026 on selected Fridays to Sundays during April through July, extending the number of fee-days and reinforcing measures to manage overtourism.
Spain has withdrawn 53,000 illegal tourist flats from official registers as part of a crackdown aimed at reducing overtourism and strengthening the permanent rental market in cities and tourist regions.
Overtourism remains a challenge in Venice as the city’s expanded day-tripper fee raised over €5 million in 2025, sparking debate over whether it truly curbed crowds or just generated revenue.