Interview with Elle Magazine (Italy) – original

Englaish Translation

Tourist overcrowding is fought when you go to vote

Tourism expert and Glasgow university lecturer Michael O’Regan explains why the world’s most beautiful destinations are oppressed by overtourism and how we could solve the problem. Starting with making the right political choicesFromGloria GhiaraPublished: 02/05/202502/05/2025

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There is no need to wait for World Tourism Day , which is celebrated every year on September 27, to address the issue: the long spring weekend of Easter, April 25 and May 1 2025 has generated the usual tourist boom and a turnover of 9 billion euros according to a survey conducted by Cna Turismo e Commercio. With the return of exceptionally intense tourist flows, and growing presences, the overtourism alarm is also back , warns Istat. That is, congested destinations , which compromise both the quality of life of those who live there and the experience of those who visit them, as the World Tourism Organization explains. It is no coincidence that in Venice the entrance fee for occasional visitors (i.e., those who do not stay overnight) in 2025 has gone from 29 to 54 days a year, and will be in force from April 18 to July 27, a critical period for overcrowding. The lagoon city, after all, is one of the most global symbols of overtourism . Even if perhaps, as the Irishman Michael O’Regan (michaeloregan.me ),Professor of Tourism and Events at Glasgow Caledonian University, it would be good to stop using this term, which oversimplifies, creates conflict, blames tourists and prevents us from really getting to the root of the problem.

Professor O’Regan, why does it no longer make sense to talk about overtourism?

The term “overtourism” has become a simplistic, broad, and often overused concept to address complex issues. It was only coined in 2016 by a travel writer and has become overused and misleading. It relies heavily on metaphors that portray tourism and tourists as a threat or crisis, which can influence public opinion. The term lacks evidence and empirical rigor and is often used as a rhetorical tool rather than the basis for meaningful solutions. Instead of focusing on systemic issues, the term often blames tourists, leading to divisive narratives. For example, there are many reasons why house prices rise in a city. Sure, there is tourism, but also increased immigration and the challenges of planning and building new housing.

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However, it is undeniable that places are definitely suffocated by waves of people who distort them, and we in Italy know something about it: is there therefore an excessive blaming of the tourist (see the tourist go home signs everywhere or the demonstrations against tourism in Spain, for example), while attention should be shifted elsewhere? Who is truly responsible for the overcrowding and the cascading damage it causes?

Yes, some places are too crowded at certain times of the year and, of course, we blame tourists for this overcrowding, rather than the institutional and corporate structures that enable and poorly manage tourism. Tourists have no control over systemic issues such as urban planning, infrastructure, tourism policies and economic structures that prioritise tourism revenue over sustainability. Rather than saying “tourist go home”, residents should vote for politicians and parties that have a real strategy for tourism. This could mean voting for parties that support restricting new hotel licences, short-term rentals, tourism taxes and new social housing and so on. The focus should be on these underlying factors, rather than blaming individual tourists. This means collecting data on, for example, the number of short-term rentals (e.g. Airbnb) and the number of guests across the EU (there is an EU regulation in 2026 that requires this).

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The supporters of tourism at all costs claim that it is a key factor for the economy of the places and are largely opposed to the regulation of flows and restrictive rules. What to answer, especially knowing that in general it is an economic factor with low added value? Or does tourism really bring in money?

Tourism generates revenue. Just think of the benefits for countries like Portugal after the 2011 post-financial crisis bailout. However, the money generated causes countries to avoid talking about environmental degradation and pressure on local infrastructure. The money generated causes issues like low wages in the sector and exploitation to be overlooked. Authorities need to implement or enforce minimum wage laws that guarantee tourism workers a living wage, provide access to training and education programs that help tourism workers develop new skills and advance their careers. They should launch awareness campaigns to highlight the value and importance of tourism jobs to the local economy and community, and collect data on wages, benefits and working conditions in the tourism industry to identify areas for improvement. They should also make citizens understand that a crackdown on tourism will have economic consequences. For example, New York has shown that it is possible to crack down hard on Airbnb and short-term rentals, but with negative economic consequences. This means that authorities should support and encourage local businesses, such as hotels, restaurants and tour operators. This ensures that a greater share of tourist spending remains within the local economy.

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Are restrictive rules really useful? I think of the entrance fee to Venice or the limited number of people now in place in many places. Can tourism not be democratic? Supporters of mass tourism firmly state that not only the rich should be able to travel.

Restrictive rules don’t work. Under Franco’s regime in 1950s Spain, bikinis were initially banned, especially in public spaces like beaches. But their spread, even under the regime, could not be completely stopped. Restrictive rules risk creating a divisive narrative that classifies tourists as “right” or “wrong”. The fine for tourists caught making coffee with a stove on the steps of the Rialto Bridge in 2019 is a case in point. A balance needs to be struck between accessibility and sustainability, ensuring that tourism remains inclusive while protecting local communities and environments. Destinations need a comprehensive approach that addresses systemic issues rather than just trying to control tourist behavior. The Venice entrance fee will not impact tourism numbers. These types of taxes, like tourist taxes, should be reinvested in communities and must be transparent. Rules, fines and codes of conduct may work for a museum or attraction, but not for a city or country.

How can we reconcile tourism with the ordinary life of local communities? Italian urban centers are becoming unlivable for residents…

Reconciling tourism with local life means integrating tourism into the fabric of communities in ways that benefit both residents and visitors. This can be achieved through policies that prioritize local needs and promote sustainable tourism practices. It means investing in infrastructure that supports tourism, such as roads, public transportation, public spaces, and events, but that also benefits and serves the needs of those who live there. Problems like overcrowding in Italian cities are a locally determined phenomenon, and what happens in one city may be different from another. While the term overtourism blurs distinctions, a city might, for example, restrict coach access to the city center, close parking lots, improve public transportation, reroute or limit cruise ship visits, limit new hotel construction, or only accept new development outside the city center. It might develop new areas outside city centers, new pedestrian routes, and promote alternative attractions to disperse tourist flows more evenly.

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Is travel an inalienable right?

While the desire to explore is inherent in human nature, and many societies and governments facilitate travel through infrastructure and policies, it is not universally recognized as a fundamental human right. The European Union’s freedom of movement, for example, allows citizens to travel and reside in member states, with economic and cultural benefits. However, this freedom does not extend globally, and visa systems often dictate who can travel where and under what conditions. Many countries have relaxed their systems since the pandemic to attract more tourists.

Categorizing types of travel as right or wrong is difficult, because all forms of travel – whether for business, education, migration or leisure – contribute to crowding and have an environmental impact. Instead of judging the morality of travel, it may be more productive to focus on tourism providers. By implementing and enforcing sustainability standards for hotels, airlines and other tourism providers, we can encourage more responsible practices across the industry. Additionally, if authorities take a stronger stance against greenwashing and misleading advertising, they can help tourists make more informed decisions, ultimately promoting a more sustainable and equitable tourism landscape. In short, travel is not an inalienable right, but it is a highly valued activity that can be made more sustainable through regulation and industry standards.

Can responsible tourism (including backpacking) and experiential tourism really be useful in terms of sustainability, does it make sense, or is it just smoke and mirrors?

Responsible and experiential tourism can be beneficial to destination sustainability and community engagement. However, there is a risk that these terms will become mere marketing tools, or “smokescreens”, without oversight. For example, pilgrimages in Europe are proving popular for tourists and are appreciated by communities, but they can also be exploited by commercial operators who prioritise profit over sustainability and authenticity. Without adequate regulation and oversight, these forms of tourism can lead to increased visitor numbers, pressure on local resources and cultural commodification. To ensure that responsible and experiential tourism is truly beneficial to destinations, it is essential to implement standards and certifications that hold operators, tour guides and accommodation providers accountable for their environmental and social impacts.

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I also believe that the push for quality among tourists is just smoke and mirrors if we define quality only by how much money they have or where they stay. Trekkers, pilgrims, and backpackers have much to offer destinations, because they often engage more deeply with local cultures, support small businesses, and have a lighter environmental footprint than luxury tourists. By valuing these travelers and encouraging responsible tourism practices, destinations can foster a more sustainable and inclusive tourism industry.

What kind of tourists can/should we be to be better, because sooner or later it’s everyone’s turn to be better?

Many tourists want to be more sustainable and responsible, but they don’t know where to start. They want to support local businesses, respect cultural and environmental norms, and be aware of their impact on the communities they visit. The industry and authorities have done nothing to help them. There is no national or European standard that defines a green or sustainable tourism product or service. If I go to an accommodation booking platform, there are now private certifications that suggest sustainability. However, we don’t know the commercial companies and the standards behind them, and without transparent and accepted standards it is difficult for tourists to make informed decisions. To be better tourists, we should encourage tourism providers and policy makers to adopt and enforce sustainable practices, tax aviation fuel, have systems in place to help tourists choose local businesses for dining, shopping and experiences, close down illegal and unlicensed tourism businesses, and fine businesses that have been greenwashed . This may increase costs for tourists, but it will shift all tourism towards more sustainable and ethical forms of travel.