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How are governments dealing with the issue of over-tourism and is this an effective way to protect the environment?

Gearld Organer

Governments around the world are dealing with the issue of over-tourism in different ways, but whether they are effective or not remains to be seen.

Over-tourism is a problem that affects many destinations, especially those that are popular with tourists. The high number of visitors can put a strain on local resources and infrastructure, resulting in environmental damage, overcrowding, and a negative impact on the quality of life for local communities.

One way that governments are dealing with over-tourism is by implementing measures to manage the number of visitors. This can include setting limits on the number of people who can enter a particular area or attraction, increasing ticket prices, and implementing reservation systems. For example, in Machu Picchu, there is now a daily limit of 2,500 visitors, and tickets must be purchased in advance.

Another strategy is to encourage tourists to visit less crowded areas. Governments are promoting alternative destinations and developing new tourism products to spread the tourist flow throughout the country. For example, in Iceland, the government is promoting the country's lesser-known areas, such as the Westfjords and the East of Iceland, to encourage visitors to explore beyond the popular Golden Circle route.

Some governments are also working to improve infrastructure and facilities to better handle the influx of visitors. This can include building new hotels, improving transportation systems, and investing in public services like water, sewage, and waste management. For example, in Barcelona, the city government is promoting walking and cycling over driving, investing in public transportation, and promoting the use of sustainable transport options like electric bicycles and scooters.

However, these measures can have unintended consequences. Limiting visitor numbers to a certain area can result in long waiting times and overcrowding in other areas, and increasing ticket prices may put some destinations out of reach for many visitors. Promoting alternative destinations may result in over-tourism in those areas, and improving infrastructure can lead to further development and environmental degradation.

Furthermore, it can be argued that these measures do not go far enough in protecting the environment. Rather than managing the number of visitors, governments should be focusing on reducing overall tourism numbers, encouraging sustainable tourism practices, and investing in sustainable development.

In conclusion, while governments are taking steps to address the issue of over-tourism, it remains to be seen whether these measures are effective in protecting the environment and ensuring the sustainable development of the tourism industry. Much more needs to be done to address the root causes of over-tourism and to encourage responsible tourism practices. As a tourist, it is also important for us to be conscious of our impact and to strive to be responsible and sustainable travelers.