According to a recently published report by Evaneos and Roland Berger, a thorough examination of tourism patterns in Europe has revealed that several prominent destinations, including Greece, Spain, and France, are facing significant challenges stemming from an overwhelming surge in tourist arrivals, which is placing considerable strain on these countries' infrastructure and natural environments.
The Impact of Over-Tourism on European Destinations
According to the research findings, numerous prominent European cities are facing considerable challenges as a result of an overwhelming influx of tourists, with Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and Dublin standing out as particularly vulnerable destinations situated within a relatively close proximity of around 600 miles to the UK.
These cities are experiencing significant strain due to high tourist volumes, which are leading to pronounced seasonality and a heightened level of sustainability awareness, resulting in the degradation of natural environments, increased pollution levels, and a surge in new construction initiatives.
In response to the growing concerns surrounding excessive urban tourism, local authorities have implemented a range of initiatives designed to curb the negative impacts associated with high tourist densities and promote more environmentally friendly tourism experiences.
The Overtourism Index: A Measure of Tourist Exposure
To provide a more nuanced understanding of tourist exposure, the researchers created an innovative "Overtourism Index", a scoring system that evaluates destinations across three key dimensions: density, seasonal fluctuations, and environmental sustainability.
Greece emerged as one of the most vulnerable tourist hotspots in Europe during the height of the summer season, earning a score of four out of five on the Overtourism Index, which ranks destinations based on their density, seasonal fluctuations, and sustainability.
In light of these findings, Evaneos has made the strategic decision to temporarily remove Mykonos and Santorini from its offerings starting in 2025.