Local Residents’ Perceptions Regarding the Negative Impacts of Overtourism: A Case of Shimla

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to find out the negative environmental, cultural and socio-economic effects of overtourism at prominent tourist destination in India focussing upon Shimla. As well, the study will also try to identify the changes in the residents’ perceptions at these tourism sites experiencing overtourism. It will be based on the review of previous literature to find out the significant negative effects of tourism-related activities on the residents' attitudes and perceptions related to tourists. It will also discuss the negative impacts of overtourism on the overall destination image using the case study approach. It is confirmed through the study findings that overtourism has caused severe environmental, economic and socio-cultural impressions at the tourist destinations under study. It is also revealed that overtourism at these destinations has caused the increased water consumption, collection of huge litter masses, improper waste disposal and air pollution due to vehicular and other sources owing to upsurge in tourist activities. In the tourist destinations under study, overtourism has caused difficulties for the locals as the prices have risen and short-term rentals have caused housing shortages. These findings will be useful for the stakeholders in the tourism sector in India to devise strategies to prevent the over-exploitation of resources and take sufficient measures to reverse the negative impacts and simultaneously promote these destinations for sustainable tourism growth.