What is Overtourism & Why is it a Problem?

A simple guide to what overtourism is, why it’s a problem, and how it impacts destinations around the world.

A busy beach in the Cancún Hotel Zone, lined with high-rise resorts and facing the blue sea.

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Overtourism is one of the most visible negative effects of travel, where popular destinations become overwhelmed by visitor numbers to the point that it starts to adversely affect the place and its residents. Streets get crowded, prices rise, infrastructure struggles to cope, wildlife habitats are damaged, and the experience can feel more touristy than authentic.

We’ve seen overtourism first-hand in places across the world, from coastal towns in Mexico to iconic city break destinations like Venice, where entire neighbourhoods feel reshaped around tourism. While it might just feel inconvenient for travellers, overtourism can have much deeper consequences for local communities, the environment, and cultural identity.

In this guide, we break down what overtourism actually is, why it happens, and what it looks like in real destinations. We also explore whether individual travellers can realistically avoid contributing to it and what needs to change at a broader level for tourism to become more balanced and sustainable.

High-rise all-inclusive resorts facing the blue sea and lining the Hotel Zone in Cancún.

What is overtourism?

We truly believe that tourism can be a force for good if done responsibly, sustainably, and regeneratively. In most cases, it brings real benefits to destinations, from creating jobs to driving investment in infrastructure and hospitality.

But the reality is that 80% of tourists visit the same 10% of places, concentrating pressure on certain destinations and contributing to mass tourism, which is inherently unsustainable.

Overtourism is defined as the excessive number of tourists overwhelming a destination, leading to adverse effects on the environment, local communities, and cultural heritage.

“The impact of tourism on a destination, or parts thereof, that excessively influences the perceived quality of life of citizens and/or visitors in a negative way”.
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

In other words, overtourism is when too many tourists visit a place, putting pressure on the environment, local communities, and cultural sites.

While sustainable tourism can create positive impacts, the benefits start to decline once numbers exceed what a destination can sustainably support.

Lots of people waiting for shuttles and transfers outside Cancún Airport.

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Why overtourism happens

The main cause of overtourism is mass tourism. It occurs when a destination becomes so popular that it physically cannot withstand the influx of visitors, putting pressure on natural resources, cultural sites, and local communities.

While overtourism has been around for decades – traditional media like newspapers and TV shows have long driven tourist demand – social media has accelerated overtourism, creating viral ‘must-see’ destinations that attract huge crowds.

Other contributing factors include:

Unmanaged tourism growth – Destinations expanding without planning for environmental, social, or infrastructural capacity.
Low-cost travel and package deals – Affordable flights, cruise ships, and tour packages make it easier for large numbers of tourists to arrive at the same time.
Day-trippers and short-term rentals – Visitors staying briefly or outside regulated accommodation put extra strain on transport, public services, and housing.
Digital nomadism and long-term rentals – Increasing numbers of remote workers can intensify pressure on housing and local services.
Global decline in geopolitical tension – Safer, more accessible travel worldwide encourages more people to visit popular destinations.
Lack of regulation and tourism management – Insufficient planning and investment in infrastructure mean destinations cannot cope with peak numbers.

Many tourists are enjoying a man-made beach. Behind them are a line of palm trees and then many multi-storey hotels.

What overtourism looks like

Like most ethical travel concepts, overtourism is subjective, as there’s no official way to measure how many people is too many. But there are some key signs that indicate overtourism is happening, including:

Overcrowding – Excessive numbers of visitors, straining local resources.
Environmental degradation – Pollution, habitat destruction, and resource depletion.
Wildlife decline – Pressure on animals and their habitats, decline of certain species, and extinction.
Infrastructure strain – Overloaded transportation, utilities, and services.
Cultural disruption – Loss of local identity, traditions, and community cohesion.
Economic inequality – Benefits of tourism concentrated among a few, while locals face increased costs.

The biggest misconception about overtourism is that it’s the same thing as overcrowding. While they do often go hand-in-hand, some destinations are over-crowded but not over-touristed, because they don’t suffer from the negative effects of tourism environmentally, socially, or economically.

You might notice that European cities are some of the most cited spaces that suffer from overtourism, which is surprising when you compare them to much larger and busier cities in other parts of the world, like China and India. But the difference is that these cities are accustomed to the number of visitors they receive, and the infrastructure can better handle the crowds. Overtourism isn’t necessarily about the sheer volume of people – it’s how the destination handles them.

And sadly, it’s often the locals bearing the brunt of overtourism, not the tourists themselves. This can increase tensions between tourists and locals, as seen all over the world in:

Barcelona
Venice
Bali
Dubrovnik
Cabo
Cancún
Tulum

Even parts of some of the most sustainable countries in the world have issues – take Manuel Antonio National Park‘s issues in Costa Rica, for example. It’s the smallest national park in the country, but also the most popular, causing issues with local wildlife tourism.

A crowd of people in life jackets wading into Akumal Bay to swim with turtles.

Examples of overtourism

Many destinations around the world are suffering from overtourism, and we could cite countless examples. Unsurprisingly, most of the key victims are also the most popular places to visit on vacation.

In Mexico, popular spots like Cancún, Cozumel, Tulum, and Cabo often face overcrowding. Indonesia experiences similar challenges, with mass tourism in Bali straining roads, cultural sites, and natural resources.

In Europe, cities such as Barcelona, Venice, and Amsterdam have taken action by discouraging tourism in certain areas or introducing tourist taxes to help manage visitor numbers.

Even in countries like Japan, rising tourism and disruptive behaviour have created tensions between locals and tourists.

Sadly, these destinations have experienced the negative effects of tourism due to overtourism.

A surfboard with a slogan "I love Tulum so matcha" in front of Macha Mama café in Tulum, Mexico.

How to combat overtourism

Overtourism requires coordinated action from governments, businesses, and the travel industry, not just individual travellers.

Potential solutions include:

Better regulation of visitor numbers – we’ve seen this work in protected places like Balandra Beach and Manuel Antonio National Park, which enforce a visitor limit and timed entry slots.
Investment in infrastructure – destinations like Iceland’s Golden Circle have introduced improved roads, designated viewpoints, and visitor facilities to better manage high volumes of tourists while protecting fragile landscapes.
Spreading tourism more evenly across regions and seasons – encouraging travellers to explore lesser-visited destinations, like Dominical or Montezuma instead of Costa Rica’s busiest hotspots La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio.

Destinations also introduce visitor taxes to fund conservation or promote lesser-known areas to reduce pressure on hotspots. Cruise ship arrivals also need stricter limits (or outright bans in some places) where continuing to increase visitor numbers simply isn’t sustainable.

Short-term rentals need proper regulation, with limits on platforms like Airbnb, protection for long-term housing for residents, and stronger enforcement of existing rules. If locals can’t afford to live in their own city, tourism has already gone too far.

Businesses can support sustainable operations, encourage longer stays, and work with local communities to ensure tourism benefits everyone.

And ultimately, the industry needs to stop prioritising profit over sustainability. Growth targets need to be replaced with sustainability targets, businesses should be incentivised to operate responsibly, not just profitably, and destinations need long-term planning, not short-term gains.

The white sands of Balandra Beach as viewed from a drone. A light breeze is moving across the otherwise calm water.

What you can do to avoid overtourism

Even as systemic change takes time, you have tools to reduce your impact and be a more responsible traveller. Here are our practical tips for lessening your impact on overtouristed sites:

Travel in the shoulder or off-season – Reduces overcrowding, eases pressure on infrastructure, and allows for a more authentic experience.
Choose less-visited destinations – Spreads tourism benefits more evenly and protects overexposed attractions.
Stay longer in one place – Minimises constant strain on multiple sites while giving you time to connect with local communities.
Support local businesses – Independent accommodations, restaurants, and tours keep money in the community rather than leaking abroad.
Follow capacity limits and guidance – Helps protect fragile environments and ensures everyone can enjoy the site responsibly.
Plan responsibly – Choosing ecotours and researching sustainability initiatives ensures your visit has a positive impact.
Travel further afield – Exploring areas outside tourist hubs eases pressure on crowded spots and uncovers hidden gems.
Don’t eat in touristy areas – Local eateries and markets keep money in the community and offer authentic experiences.
Look after the planet – Avoid littering, waste of electricity or water, and single-use plastics to reduce your environmental footprint.
Avoid cruise ships – Reduces emissions, overcrowding, and environmental strain on coastal destinations.
Look for opportunities to give back – Volunteering or supporting local initiatives ensures tourism benefits the communities you visit.