Navigating the Crowds – Our Guide to Smart Travel in the Age of Overtourism
As seasoned travelers, we know there’s nothing quite like the feeling of stepping into a new city, ready to explore its iconic sights and immerse yourself in its culture. But lately, you may have heard a buzzword that can dampen that excitement: overtourism. So, what exactly is it, and how does it impact your trip? At Jetsettery, we believe that being a responsible and mindful traveler is key to a truly rewarding experience, and that starts with understanding the challenges.
What Exactly is Overtourism?
In short, overtourism is the tipping point when too many tourists visit a destination, negatively impacting the local population, natural resources, and historical sites. It’s much more than just long lines at a famous museum. A major factor in this issue is the rise of short-term holiday rentals, which can significantly impact local communities. For locals, overtourism can lead to rising housing costs, noise, and strained public infrastructure.
Where is Overtourism Happening in Europe?
While overtourism is a global issue, it's particularly acute in Southern and Western Europe, which receive more than 70% of the world's international visitors. Some of the most prominent examples include:
Venice, Italy: With over 20 million tourists a year for a city with just over 50,000 residents, Venice's fragile ecosystem is under immense strain. The crowds in its narrow streets and iconic spots like Piazza San Marco are often too congested to enjoy. To manage this, the city has even begun charging an entry fee during peak times.
Barcelona, Spain: An estimated 32 million tourists visit this city each year, and anti-tourism protests have erupted across Spain in response. Protesters in Barcelona have been seen dousing tourists with water guns and stopping city tour buses to set off flares. The increasing number of Airbnb’s in the city has caused rents to increase by as much as 7% for local residents. Barcelona's mayor, Jaume Collboni, has announced plans to eliminate all short-term apartment rentals (over 10,000 licensed apartments) for tourists by November 2028.
Dubrovnik, Croatia: Once a "hidden gem," Dubrovnik is now struggling to manage the influx of visitors, particularly from large cruise ships that strain the city's infrastructure but contribute little to the local economy. In response, the city has agreed with the cruise lines to limit the number of people from cruise ships entering the Old City to 4,000 at any one time, with a maximum of two ships disembarking visitors simultaneously.
Other Hotspots: The problem also affects other popular destinations like Santorini and Mykonos in Greece, as well as Rome and the Amalfi Coast in Italy.
How Worried Should Travelers Be?
As travelers, this issue presents a unique challenge, but it's not a reason to stop traveling. Instead, it's a call to travel more mindfully. The negative effects on a visitor's experience might be limited to congestion and overcrowding, but for locals, it’s a direct strain on their quality of life, traditions, and the very infrastructure they rely on. Being aware of this dynamic is the first step toward becoming a more responsible traveler.
What Can Travelers Do About Overtourism?
Fortunately, there are many simple yet impactful tactics we can all employ to be part of the solution:
Travel During the Off-Season or Shoulder Season: Overtourism is often a matter of too many people in one place at one time. Traveling outside of the busiest summer months can help you avoid crowds, often at a lower cost, and provide a more authentic experience. In Europe, the shoulder seasons generally fall from April to mid-June and from September to October. The weather is still often pleasant during these times, but the crowds are much thinner, and you can find lower prices on flights and hotels.
Explore These Incredible Alternatives:
For Venice, try Bologna. This Italian city is a culinary capital with beautiful medieval architecture and far fewer crowds.
For Rome, consider Sicily. Here you can find ancient Greek and Roman ruins, stunning beaches, and a rich culture without the intense crowds of the capital.
For Dubrovnik, check out Piran, Slovenia. This coastal town on the Adriatic has a Venetian-style harbor and provides a similar feel without the massive tourist influx from cruise ships.
Support Local Businesses (and Be Mindful of Where You Stay): Make a conscious effort to dine at local restaurants, do excursions with local guides and buy from local shops. This ensures more of your money stays within the community, directly benefiting the people who live there. It's also important to consider your accommodation choices. Choosing traditional hotels or locally owned B&Bs can help mitigate the effects of the oversaturation of holiday rentals like Airbnbs.
Embrace Slow Travel: Instead of rushing through multiple cities, consider staying longer in one destination. This allows you to truly connect with the culture, form a deeper understanding of the local way of life, and reduce your overall impact.
Be a Respectful and Mindful Guest: Remember that you are a visitor in someone else's home country. Be aware of your surroundings, respect local customs, and avoid behaviors that might disrupt the daily lives of residents.
What’s Our Role at Jetsettery?
As your travel advisors, we believe we are a key part of the solution to overtourism and we are taking it seriously to ensure you have the best possible experience while best supporting the communities you visit. Our role is to keep you from making uninformed decisions that could ruin your vacation due to massive crowds or sold-out hotels.
At Jetsettery, we are committed to planning around overtourism by:
Crafting Tailored Itineraries: We create bespoke itineraries that pair iconic sites with hidden gems, ensuring you get to see the "big hitters" without the constant congestion.
Strategic Timing: We'll advise you on the best times to visit popular locations, often suggesting you go during evenings or off-peak hours when they are quieter.
Dispersing Crowds: We can design itineraries that shift your time away from overcrowded hot spots toward lesser-known neighborhoods and unique local experiences.
Supporting Local Businesses: We feel a big part of traveling abroad is immersing yourself into the local community. There’s no better way to do that than staying in boutique, locally owned hotels, eating at local restaurants and participating in locally resourced tours and activities. This ensures you get a more authentic experience while supporting a wider range of local businesses. We strive to include all of those elements in every Jetsettery itinerary.
By choosing to work with a mindful travel advisor, you can be a part of the solution, ensuring your travels are a force for good.
