Zakynthos: Europe’s center of overtourism – locals suffer!

Zakynthos: Europe’s center of overtourism – locals suffer!

The Greek island of Zakynthos, also known as Zante, has become the most tourist-overrun destination in Europe. According to an analysis by the British portal “Which?” There is a worrying ratio of around 150 tourists per resident on the island. This means that the 40,000 residents of Zakynthos receive around 6 million overnight guests every year. Those familiar with the topic describe Zakynthos as the “capital of overtourism” in Europe, while other holiday destinations such as Venice and Paris are also suffering from the onslaught.

The results of the study not only show the total number of overnight stays, but also the pressure on the local infrastructure and the social fabric of the island. Residents report rising housing costs and dramatically increased traffic volumes, especially in the summer months. Taxi drivers like Spiros complain about the noise and sleeplessness caused by late-night parties in popular holiday resorts such as Laganas. He expresses his displeasure with the British party tourists, whose behavior has a significant impact on the everyday lives of the locals.

The impact of tourism

The problem of overtourism is not just limited to large metropolises. According to analysis by euronews.com Smaller European destinations are also suffering from the massive rush. Examples include Istria in Croatia, which ranks second with a ratio of 133.5 tourists per 1,000 inhabitants, followed by Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands with 118.7. These numbers highlight the challenge facing many popular travel destinations.

The uncontrolled increase in tourism has serious consequences. Residents on Zakynthos complain not only about high rents, but also about overburdened services and environmental problems. Every year, the people there face a constant increase in the number of tourists, which calls into question the sustainable development of the region.

A look at the tourist density

According to the study, Paris is the destination with the highest tourist density, followed by Athens and Copenhagen. Such data illustrates how overtourism is commonplace even in less obvious holiday regions and affects the quality of life of the local population. During the summer holidays, popular tourist destinations are again preparing for the rush, which could further exacerbate the problem.

Given these challenges, it is crucial to find ways to make tourism sustainable without sacrificing the quality of life of locals and the beauty of destinations. Zakynthos is an example of the urgent need to rethink tourists' travel behavior and the associated offers.