Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study is to provide a series of indicators to determine the limits to urban tourism growth, tourism gentrification and overtourism. The study addresses overtourism within the frame of urban liveability through a proxy analysis of tourism-relevant indicators for major European tourist cities. Design/methodology/approach Based on the various indicators, a composite overtourism indicator is derived. The following dimensions are considered for the composite indicator: total number of overnight stays per relevant tourist area in km2; number of museum visitors per population; average annual change in total nights between 2009 and 2017; and foreign nights per population. Findings Based on the results, Venice is the city with the highest degree of overtourism, followed by Florence, Seville and Lisbon. The remaining cities have a lower than average overtourism potential as indicated by the negative z-score. Research limitations/implications This study and the composite overtourism indicators are only a starting point that can lead to further research in the field. Recommendations for further studies include the assessment of visitor flow and overtourism at different times of the year and to expand the study to other European urban destinations. Practical implications The paper suggests that policymakers should use these indicators when managing urban tourism development and monitoring visitor growth. Furthermore, they can be a starting point from which to assess the impact of tourism on the quality of life of local residents. Social implications This study provides a starting point from which to assess the causes for social unrest tied to overtourism. If the city under study is found to have a lower than average overtourism potential, this indicates that there may be other social or psychological issues at play apart from sheer overcrowding. Originality/value To date, there has been no composite indicator that considered the different numerical aspects of overtourism altogether. This study provides a set of key indicators and a composite overtourism indicator to provide a preliminary appraisal of overtourism as a demand-side phenomenon with evidence from a range of established European urban destinations.
Highlights
Introduction on ati ernIntUrban destinations are a major component of international and domestic tourism across Europe.According to the Mastercard’s 2018 Global Destination Cities Index report (2018), two of the top three urban tourism destinations worldwide in terms of number of international overnight stays are in Europe, with London, Paris and Palma de Mallorca ranking in the top ten for overall international tourist expenditure
Social implications: This study provides a starting point from which to assess the causes for social unrest tied to overtourism
This study provides a set of key indicators and a composite overtourism indicator to provide a preliminary appraisal of overtourism as a demand-side phenomenon with evidence from a range of established European urban destinations
Summary
According to the Mastercard’s 2018 Global Destination Cities Index report (2018), two of the top three urban tourism destinations worldwide in terms of number of international overnight stays are in Europe, with London, Paris and Palma de Mallorca ranking in the top ten for overall international tourist expenditure. It would appear that leading European tourism cities have reached saturation point, with cities from Asia and the Pacific outperforming in terms of tourism market size and international overnight stays (MasterCard, 2018; WTTC, 2018). This is further evident in the reliance on al international tourist spending in cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona, Budapest, Dubrovnik, Dublin, Prague and Venice, with more than 87% of total receipts, on average, coming from foreign visitors (WTTC, 2018). Jo “Capital cities represent a special case of urban tourism” (Hall, 2005: 219), yet there are limited data and conceptual frameworks addressing the phenomenon from a comparative perspective
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