Crowded beaches: Overtourism is changing our vacation destinations!

Crowded beaches: Overtourism is changing our vacation destinations!

The issue of overtourism is becoming increasingly important and is influencing the vacation planning of many travelers. A current survey by the Quality Travel Alliance (QTA) among around 240 travel agencies shows that 25 percent of the travel agencies surveyed perceive a noticeable impact on their customers' choice of travel destinations. At the same time, 60 percent report that they see little impact, while 15 percent say they see no impact on their vacation decisions. This difference can be attributed to different perceptions between travel advisors and their clients.

Although only 8 percent of travel advisors say that their clients specifically avoid crowded travel destinations, 47 percent have experienced that they occasionally make alternative decisions. It is noteworthy that 45 percent of the travel agencies surveyed have never experienced such cases. When asked about future developments, 10 percent of those surveyed expect overtourism to become significantly more influential in the coming years, especially among environmentally or socially conscious travelers.

Travel planning factors

The increasing pressure from overcrowded beaches and the increasing cost of living in holiday destinations are leading to ongoing discussions about the challenges of overtourism. According to QTA spokesman Thomas Bösl, concerns about overcrowded sights and rising prices in the destination areas are causing discomfort among travelers. Environmental aspects and the impact on the local population, however, play a subordinate role.

A future-oriented approach to the challenges of tourism is considered central. The QTA considers it necessary to establish a constructive dialogue between travel agencies, politicians and destinations in order to find solutions. Bösl emphasizes the role of travel agencies in promoting sustainable travel models and the responsible use of resources in the target regions. There is also a greater focus on ensuring that the local population benefits better from the income from tourism.

Political measures and regional strategies

Policy measures such as tourism regulation, which are already being implemented in cities such as Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, are necessary to improve the quality of the tourist experience and protect the housing market in popular holiday destinations. The QTA also proposes investments in infrastructure to better take into account the needs of both travelers and locals. This could, among other things, help promote the acceptance of tourism as a whole.

The QTA itself is the largest travel agency cooperation alliance in Germany, with around 3,900 travel agencies and an annual turnover of around 2.6 billion euros. This broad basis enables the QTA to formulate relevant statements on the challenges and opportunities of tourism and to actively participate in shaping more sustainable travel.

In conclusion, the dynamics of overtourism not only influence customers' travel planning, but also bring with them a responsibility for the travel industry and politicians to steer tourism in a more sustainable direction. For detailed information about the survey and current challenges, visit Gloobi and Press portal.