17 June 2025 Tuesday

OVERTOURISM ON THE AGENDA: THE HOLIDAY MAP IN EUROPE IS BEING RESHAPED

A new report published by Which? Travel has revealed that Zakynthos, Greece, is the destination with the most overnight stays per capita in Europe. Popular centers such as Paris, Mallorca, and Dubrovnik are also facing the pressure of overtourism.

Overtourism Warning in Europe: Zakynthos, Mallorca, and Paris on the Brink

The impact of "overtourism" in Europe's leading travel destinations is back on the agenda. According to the latest report published by Which? Travel, the Greek island of Zakynthos (Zante) has become the European destination with the most overnight stays compared to its population. The ratio of tourist overnight stays to the local population on the island has reached 150:1.

This ratio makes Zakynthos the busiest tourist center in Europe, followed by the Istria region of Croatia (133,467 tourists/1000 people) and Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands (118,720 tourists/1000 people). On the other hand, Paris stands out as the city with the highest tourist density, with 418,280 overnight stays per square meter.

Tourism Debate in the Shadow of Overcrowding

The report addresses not only the increase in the number of visitors but also the associated social and economic pressures. Which? Travel Editor Rory Boland said, "Rising house prices, the burden on infrastructure, and antisocial behavior in some regions have begun to outweigh the benefits of tourism."

Prof. Richard Butler from the University of Strathclyde stated that overtourism is directly related not only to crowds but also to tourist behavior. He noted that destinations that are experienced tourism cities, such as Las Vegas, Orlando, or Blackpool, experience fewer of these complaints because they have grown with tourism.

Hidden Alternatives Come to the Fore

The report also points to alternative routes for travelers who want to avoid crowded destinations. Regions such as Rybnik in Poland, Severoistočen in North Macedonia, and Teleorman in Romania are among the least visited places in Europe. The island of Jan Mayen, located within the Arctic Circle in Norway, stands out as the only region with no tourist overnight stays.

Romanian bicycle tour organizer Mircea Crisbășanu said, "Silence prevails in Southern Romania. There is a friendly atmosphere in the villages where traditional architecture is preserved," drawing attention to the experiences offered by alternative destinations.