Mass Tourism: What it is, Consequences and Sustainable Alternatives

We want to show you what mass tourism or overtourism is, how it affects the tourism industry, and what the solution is to overcome it.

Tourism is one of the fastest-growing industries on the planet and generates significant revenue for many countries—even developing ones—and has provided many jobs and revitalized many economies. However, mass tourism is also a source of serious problems such as environmental degradation, economic dependence on tourism, social dislocation, and the loss of cultural heritage.

What is mass tourism?

Simply put, mass tourism occurs when there are too many visitors to a particular destination.

For example, when narrow roads are filled with tourist vehicles , i.e. tourism.

When wildlife is away , when tourists can't see the sights because of the crowd , when fragile environments are degrade , all these are signs of overtourism .

This type of tourism harms communities by Overuse or destruction of resources due to overcrowding is due to a lack of concern for the health and well-being of the destination community. This is contrary to the fundamental principle of ecotourism.

It's important to note that a community's population, culture, environment, and natural resources are the most integral part of tourism, not the traveler.

In some hot spots, overtourism is a common problem because the degradation caused by the public can far outweigh the benefits of tourism revenue, especially when that revenue is not distributed equitably.

This type of tourism is seriously affecting the planet and the tourism industry. Increasingly, the media and other sectors are seeing it as a problem stemming from the very concept of travel, even though it only covers a small part of it.

Mass tourism can negatively affect traveler sentiment , as well as the small, sustainable tourism industry. Not only is it completely unsustainable, but it's a growing problem. And the fact is that the political responses to it are as bad and bad as the policies that produced it.

“Ecotourism is a type of tourism directed toward exotic, often threatened, natural environments, intended to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.”

Developing countries are the most sensitive to the effects of excessive tourism on their natural, economic, and social environments.

This is because their waste and sewage systems are ill-equipped to handle large numbers of people, and overtourism often overwhelmingly pollutes the destination. Wildlife ecosystems are devastated or threatened to make way for more construction, culminating in the destruction of local communities.

Locals cannot even share in the economic benefits of tourism revenues derived from their own use of their home communities.

Let us evaluate the following differences between ecotourism and excessive tourism in which we highlight why ecotourism is a very solid and sustainable solution.

ECOTOURISM

• You preserve and care for natural resources.
• Results in sustainable income for the community.
• Results in carefully planned tourism policies developed in collaboration with communities, Indigenous peoples, conservationists, and experts.
• Its main objective is to guarantee the health and well-being of the community.
• Encourages travelers to connect naturally with areas neglected by tourism.

OVERTOURISM

• You preserve and care for natural resources.
• Results in sustainable income for the community.
• Results in carefully planned tourism policies developed in collaboration with communities, Indigenous peoples, conservationists, and experts.
• Its main objective is to guarantee the health and well-being of the community.
• Encourages travelers to connect naturally with areas neglected by tourism.

In conclusion

The most positive and sustainable solution to overcome this growing problem is ecotourism. Ecotourism can provide a short-term solution at a relatively low cost if used correctly. It will allow income to be distributed more equitably in disadvantaged areas, ensuring that tourism revenue remains in the communities that practice it.