Inhabitants vs tourists

The phenomenon of overtourism is today to the attention of everyone, public administrators,

tourism industry, press, public opinion. The damages and problems generated by excessive
tourist pressure on many destinations, in particular cities of art, but not only, are well known.

Overtourism has consequences at economic, social, environmental and cultural level. It produces
increased traffic, pollution, noise, waste production; it favors the loss of identity of places, the loss
of the authenticity of local products, the commodification, the gentrification; it increases the costs
of rents and life for residents; tourists often behave rudely, adopting transgressive behavior that
they would never dare to adopt in their countries of origin.

The phenomenon is sometimes generating behaviors of hostility to tourism by the exasperated

local population. We believe that the problem, briefly described, must be addressed at various
levels.

First of all, it is absolutely necessary that an active tourism policy is adopted by the competent
authorities; tourism cannot be left to its own spontaneity; we cannot limit ourselves to take note
of tourism, consider it as something acquired and free to manifest itself as it happens.

The constant monitoring activity, the adoption of appropriate indicators, the systematic collection
of data can be very helpful.

Competent authorities must adopt a tourism policy that allows them to be actively managing.

The host community should be the principle beneficiary of any activity developed in the place they
live, including tourism. They must be involved in the decision-making process from its early stage.

What is good for residents will be good for tourist.

It is necessary to act on the supply and demand side, according to the principles of sustainable and
responsible tourism.

On the supply side, that is from the point of view of the local population and the local tourism
industry, listening activity is necessary; it is necessary to listen to the local population, its
complaints, its problems, its proposals.
A joint strategy and action plan must be established and shared, based on the principles of co-
creation and co-management.

It is essential to start a tourism policy that benefits all the population, not just tourism operators.

In many countries and in many places tourists pay the tourist tax.
The revenue from the tourist tax must be used in actions that benefit both the tourists and the
resident population: improvement of traffic, parking, qualification of public parks and urban
furniture; overcoming architectural barriers; support for cultural life; construction of sports
facilities; opening of the monuments for their visit.

The local population must concretely perceive that tourism benefits everyone.

It is necessary to try to direct the tourist flows towards weaker seasons of the year and towards
less frequented urban areas.

Tourism promotion, which certain destinations no longer need, must be directed towards the de-
seasonalization and diversification of tourist destinations, that is to say, places to visit. We need to
move from a generic and traditional promotion to a targeted promotion.

We need to provide maximum support to all those companies of culture, crafts, agri-food sector
that offer products and services related to tradition, authenticity and typicality.

We need also to encourage creative experiences by offering the visitors, as temporary residents,
the opportunity to participate in the local life, together with the local community.

On the demand side it is necessary to initiate education actions to the trip.

Tourists, in their capacity as temporary guests of tourist destinations, must be informed and
involved in the fight against over-tourism. The awareness of problems is a first step. The
information offices, the hotels and the other accommodation facilities can play an important role
in education to travel, by spreading indications, suggestions, advices on the correct behaviors to
be adopted; a prescriptive tone is not necessary, lighter, gentler, witty tones can be adopted; but
the substance does not change, we must try to positively influence the tourists in order to behave
in an appropriate manner, respectful of the place they are visiting and of the community that lives
there.
Other more radical actions (closed number of visitors, expensive ticket for admission, limits on
hospitality etc.) can be taken into consideration only in the face of the manifest insufficiency of
the actions taken.

NOTE
Tourism for all, right to vacation should not mean the right to go anywhere; the local community can set a
quantitative limits to the visitors’ number; who remains excluded a year will be able to go another year and
in the meantime will be able to pass the vacation or to take a trip to another place.

Maurizio Davolio
Coordinator, ISTO Responsible and Fair tourism Committee