mass tourism syndrome

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Six reasons why mass tourism is unsustainable

"You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete." -- Buckminster Fuller

Despite the slow but steady increase in the number of enterprises claiming to be responsible or green, the fact remains that the current system of mass international tourism is utterly unsustainable.

Thanks to the application of the same industrial model developed for cars, houses and consumer goods, international tourism has exploded in size since the 1950s and swept into virtually every nook and cranny of the planet, washing up cash, jobs, golf courses, airports and enormous amounts of real estate.

Claimed by the UN World Tourism Organisation as a stimulant of economic recovery, tourism is, undoubtedly, a force to be reckoned with. It generates more than $2.1tn in annual revenues. In many countries and regions of the world, tourism is now the primary source of foreign exchange, employment and cash.

The to 1.8 billion travelers within the next 17 years, yet many remain in denial that the industry is based on a finite and limited supply of attractions, or accessible places rich in scenic beauty or culture.

The industry resembles a high-speed train, crammed with passengers with cheap tickets, racing toward a cliff edge. So it's worth asking why this challenge generates so little debate in the press and in general business literature.

Ending the unsustainable travel addiction

Clearly the media makes a lot of money from advertising holiday locations around the world, but on a broader level, perhaps providers, customers and regulators have each become so addicted to the promise and pleasures of cheap and frequent travel that the prospect of going without is simply too much to contemplate. Perhaps a form of "willful blindness" has infected us all.

The challenge turns out to be far more complex than just the prospect of run-away volume growth on a finite planet. Many sectors are running themselves into the ground financially as margins dwindle to razor thin. Meanwhile, thanks to congestion or overuse of scarce water and land resources, many destinations are destroying the landscapes and attractions, both natural and cultural, on which they depend.

I have come up with six key reasons why the current tourism model is way past its prime and why more of us need to focus on creating alternatives:

1. Mass industrial tourism is based on the assembly, distribution and consumption of packaged products and, as a consequence, one product is substitutable for another. The commodification of what should be revered as unique is further aggravated by the application of industrial cost cutting strategies of homogenisation, standardisation and automation that further strip out any remaining vestiges of difference, let alone mystique. Tourists "do" places and rarely get the chance to stand in awe and wonder.

2. In most youthful destinations, low barriers of entry and zero regulation encourage rapid growth and speculation. Both local politicians and often not-so-local developers benefit enormously from this growth, but rarely stay put long enough to have to cope with the crises caused by overcapacity and volatile demand.

3. The product is perishable - it's a time-based service - and can't be stocked. So when capacity goes up and demand declines, price discounting is the adaptive tactic of choice.

4. Technological connectivity and price comparison engines have shifted purchasing power to consumers, who have been convinced, by repeated discounting, that cheap travel is now a right - not a privilege. This accelerates the downward pressure on prices and yields.

5. Residents of tourism hotspots, who may have welcomed the first influx of visitors, soon find that cheap travel doesn't reduce their costs. Visitors cause land, food, water, housing and infrastructure prices to increase at a rate closely correlated with the decline in tourism operators' margins. Sadly, more tourism often means less benefit to the host communities.

6. Having fought so hard to be recognised as an industry, the tourism community fragments back into its specific sectors when issues of waste, carbon, water scarcity and other "externalities" are raised. Airlines don't pay taxes on aviation fuel and have fought carbon-related charges for decades.

What's to be done

We need to develop the idea of conscious travel and start to imagine a better alternative. Unfortunately, there is no magic wand or silver bullet; change will need to occur at the grassroots level, one destination at a time.

It will first and foremost require hosts to wake up and see their world differently - not as a resource to be exploited, but as a sacred place to be protected and celebrated for its uniqueness.

Second, it is important they start to view their customers not as mere units of consumption, but as guests seeking to be healed and transformed. Our conscious or mindful alternative is about less volume, congestion, hassle, destruction and harm and about more meaning, purpose, value, peace and fulfillment. In short, not more but better.

Tomorrow, on Guardian Sustainable Business, I will explore how we can start to move in this direction .

Anna Pollock has 40 years experience working as a strategist, analyst and change agent for travel destinations around the world. She is the founder of Conscious Travel .

• Guardian sustainable business
• Green travel

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Mass tourism

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Mass tourism refers to the movement of a large number of organized tourists to popular holiday destinations for recreational purposes. It is a phenomenon which is characterized by the use of standardized package products and mass consumption. Conceptually, this type of tourism features standardized leisure products and experiences packaged for mass tourists (Poon 1993 ).

History and development

The beginning of mass tourism is largely related to various changes, which occurred in the industrial societies in the second half of the twentieth century. In fact, the history of mass tourism began in 1851 when Thomas Cook led a mass of tourists to the Great Exhibition in London (Page 2012 ). The growth of leisure travel and its importance were a result of the increased spending power, personal mobility, development of public transport, and internationalization in modern communities (Bramwell 2004 ). The emergence of paid holidays, increased leisure time, and the development of railway networks...

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Bramwell, B. 2004 Mass Tourism, Diversification and Sustainability in Southern Europe’s Coastal Regions. In Coastal Mass Tourism: Diversification and Sustainable Development in Southern Europe, B. Bramwell, ed., pp.1-31. Clevedon: Channel View.

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Manera, C., L. Segreto, and M. Pohl 2009 The Mediterranean as a Tourist Destination: Past, Present, and Future of the First Mass Tourism Resort Area. In Europe at the Seaside: The Economic History of Mass Tourism in the Mediterranean, L. Segreto, C. Manera and M. Pohl, eds., pp.1-11. Oxford: Berghahn.

Page, S. 2012 Tourism Management: An Introduction . Oxford. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Poon, A. 1993 Tourism, Technology and Competitive Strategies. London: CABI.

Weaver, D. 2007 Towards Sustainable Mass Tourism: Paradigm Shift or Paradigm Nudge? Tourism Recreation Research 32(3):65-69.

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Naumov, N., Green, D. (2016). Mass tourism. In: Jafari, J., Xiao, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Tourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01384-8_378

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Overtourism Solutions: Strategies to Manage Mass Tourism

This pages have been created to enable the easy sharing of experience in managing overtourism and avoiding it. There is a typology of overtourism solutions which provides an index and wherever possible a link to where further information can be found along with a contact.

The limits to growth are not just an issue for travel and tourism as the Wall Street Journal has described tourism as currently “generating a global backlash”.   Responsible Tourism is about using tourism to make better places for people to live in and to visit. Overtourism is the antithesis to this, tourism is using the place and degrading it.

Overtourism  describes destinations where hosts or guests, locals or visitors, feel that there are too many visitors and that the quality of life in the area or the quality of the experience has deteriorated unacceptably. It is the opposite of Responsible Tourism which is about using tourism to make better places to live in and better places to visit. Often both visitors and guests experience the deterioration concurrently.

The problem is not going to go away – we need to work out how to cope with it. The challenge for businesses and destination marketing organisations is that they no longer have a free hand to use the places that people live and work in to attract visitors. The residents, whose place it is, are beginning to rebel and consumers are all too aware that some destinations are not what they were. The challenge now is to develop ways of “Coping with Success”, addressing overtourism.

Essential Preconditions

In many places, there is confusion about the roles of DMOs. The same acronym is used for both Destination Management Organisations and Destination Marketing Organisations with bodies composed primarily of private sector representatives spending private sector and public money on destination promotion.

In Barcelona the management of tourism is unequivocally the responsibility of the city council. It is significant that the “objectives and strategic lines” of Turisme de Barcelona, the public-private partnership organisation which markets the city include public policy objectives.  Turisme de Barcelona recognises its “social and institutional responsibility” to “achieve a balance between tourist activity and everyday life in the city” and encouraging wider geographic distribution of tourism in the city.

• a) To boost the financial impact of the sector and to attract tourists with high spending power; b) To promote its own identity as a tourist attraction; c) To reconcile tourists/local community; d) To ensure the geographical and multi-sectorial distribution of tourism; e) To strengthen the public-private promotional model.

Overtourism is often attacked as tourismophobia . Barcelona has countered this view, as Ada Colau, now Mayor Barcelona said in 2014:

“Of course, the answer is not to attack tourism. Everyone is a tourist at some point in their life. Rather, we have to regulate the sector, return to the traditions of local urban planning, and put the rights of residents before those of big business.

The way of life for all Barcelonans is seriously under threat. And the only solution is to win back democracy for the city. This is precisely what the residents of La Barceloneta are doing – defending their neighbourhood, their city, from the free market and from the political elites that are putting our home up for sale.” more

Governance Barcelona & Kerala have effectively managed different sets or overtourism challenges by engaging the tourism sector and local communities in addressing the particular local issues and using a multi-stakeholder approach.

Barcelona's Strategy and Action Barcelona is using a wider range of mechanisms to address the challenge of overtourism than any other destination, their experience is important as others rise to the challenge.

Barcelona has sought, since 2004, to make tourist activities more sustainable, to increase the positive impacts of tourism in the city and to integrate visitors fostering coexistence, Barcelona aspires to treat visitors as temporary residents . The city is working to ensure that there are no tourist ghettos and that tourism contributes to the improvement of the quality of life and social cohesion. Barcelona has recognised that sustainability and competitiveness need to be used together in managing tourism. In Barcelona, a City and Tourism Council has been formed to advise the City Council on tourism policy and management. more

As in many sectors, the regulation moves more slowly than the growth of new business models. This has been evident in the growth of businesses like Airbnb and Uber where regulators have struggled to keep up. Similarly, the management of the public realm – streets, parks and squares - has been a major challenge as tourism numbers have grown and accelerated.

Shared/reliable common information Effective management action involving diverse stakeholders requires shared data. Dichter, a senior partner of McKinsey & Company consultancy, says that: 

“We talk to so many people in the tourism ecosystem and no one has the same facts – not even close,” …  “If you can’t even agree on how many tourists are showing up, it’s very difficult to have a proper debate.”   More

Only with good data is it possible to identify benefits and costs and develop management strategies to rebalance tourism. Shared, publicly available, reliable data has been a major plank of Barcelona’s efforts to address overtourism. The UNWTO points to the importance of “monitoring and evidence-based decisions.”

Barcelona surveys its residents regularly to determine their views about tourism and other problems in the city.

Barcelona publishes monthly forecasts of volumes of visitor numbers for each day reporting all events or activities which involve 10,000 or more people, where the forecast goes over 70,000 the calendar shows red, residents can then avoid the congested areas or avoid the city altogether. In September 2018 there were three days over 200,000, one of which was close to 300,000. example

Strategies to manage overtourism

Limits of Acceptable Change

Identify key indicators for the destination which identify the emerging issues so that they can be addressed. The growth of unlicensed tourist accommodation and change of use for the housing stock, changing retail offer, rising local housing costs, litter, trampling, crowding... choose the locally significant issues and problems.

Preferential Access for Locals At Park Güell, in Barcelona access to the Monument Area (7.9% of its area) has been regulated. In 2013, an 8€ entry fee was imposed, local residents have unrestricted and free access

Barcelona publishes monthly forecasts of volumes of visitor numbers for each day reporting all events or activities which involve 10,000 or more people, where the forecast goes over 70,000 the calendar shows red, residents can then avoid the congested areas or avoid the city altogether. In September 2018 there were three days over 200,000, one of which was close to 300,000.

Temporary Residents Changing the nature of tourism and the visitor experience by managing the destination to attract visitors as temporary residents. This strategy can change the dynamics of tourism and the host-guest relationship.

Tourist Tax

Tourism Taxes are controversial. They are generally too low to deter visitors, but they do enable local authorities to raise money to fund the management of tourism, to repair damage to lawns and pay for the removal of litter.

If one of the aspirations of Responsible Tourism is that tourists should be treated as temporary residents then it is not unreasonable that overnight tourists and day visitors should contribute to the maintenance of the public realm which they are visiting and using. Tourism taxes are generally levied through accommodation providers and occasionally through tour companies. New Zealand has introduced a $35 tourism levy to protect tourist hot spots.

Amsterdam has introduced a Day Tourist Tax for TRANSIT sea cruise and river cruise passengers that moor within the municipal boundaries of Amsterdam.

Ensuring that local community’s benefit from tourism

In Kerala, India, the state government has established a Responsible Tourism Mission to ensure that local communities benefit through the creation of shared value.

Supply-side initiatives

Accommodation Deregulated housing markets can attract international investors causing inflation in housing costs, and holiday rentals can be far more lucrative than letting to residents and families. By restricting the availability of accommodation visitor arrivals can be restricted.

Issues arise where there are concentrations of tourism in particular areas where tourism comes to dominate, and where there is unlicensed and unregulated accommodation which may cause disturbance and raises issues of health and safety and taxation.

In July 2015, Barcelona's municipal government suspended the processing of new permits for tourist-accommodation, student-residences and youth-hostel establishments, to analyse the impact of tourist-accommodation activities in all its aspects and to draft a special urban-development plan to regulate it. Ciutat Vella now has a Usage Plan designed to restrict the growth of tourist accommodation, whether hotels or apartments and a Tourist Accommodation Working Group has been tasked to complement municipal efforts to reduce the numbers of unlicensed apartments.

Disintermediation Airbnb is most often the focus of attention; the internet has replaced small ads in newspapers, magazines and shop windows as a means of advertising accommodation. This has made it easier to market accommodation and this, coupled with the deregulation of housing in many jurisdictions, has led to a significant increase in the letting of accommodation to tourists and in many places a depletion in accommodation stock available to residents, often with negative social and economic impacts.

Barcelona and Dublin have regulated Airbnb. From June, 2019, in designated rent-pressure zones, which cover Dublin and major commuter towns as well as Galway and Cork cities and part of Limerick, councils will need to grant planning approval for any short-term letting of investment properties. Where a house or apartment is a person's principal private residence, they will be permitted to rent out a room (or rooms) within their home for short-term letting without restriction. However, they will only be allowed to sub-let their entire house without planning permission on the short-term market for a cumulative period of 90 days or less annually. Individuals who own a second property will no longer be allowed to arrange short-term lettings, unless the property already has permission to be used for such purposes or for tourism. more

Matching Demand to Supply Timed ticketing and seasonal pricing all help in matching demand to supply and can contribute to ensuring that visitors have a better experience. Praia das Catedrais or “Cathedrals Beach” on the Galician coast in northwest Spain requires an advance booking . 

Spatial and Town Planning Local governments and national parks are generally able to control the siting of accommodation and other visitor services, depending on national planning policy frameworks.

The Amsterdam municipal authority introduced a zoning plan "Shop Diversity Center" prohibits new shops opening in the city center that mainly target tourists and day visitors, such as souvenir shops. The municipality argued that it wants to counteract a so-called monoculture in the city center and prevent tourist shops from gaining the upper hand in the streets. Tourism companies that existed before 2017 are excluded from the zoning plan rules.  Building owners and companies objected to the restrictions imposed by the zoning plan, accusing the municipality of violating the European Services Directive, discrimination, and causing property values to fall. In April 2020, the Council of State found in favour of the municipality deciding that the Amsterdam city council could reasonably conclude that there is a monoculture of shops and facilities in the city center, and that banning new tourist shops was in the interest of the people who live and work in Amsterdam. The Council of State also saw no grounds for claims of discrimination and building depreciation. more

Transport Barcelona has experimented with moving coach parks, bus routes and pick-up and put-down points to change the way tourists move through an urban area. In rural areas and in national parks, parking has been used to control visitor movements and reduce dispersal to the sacrifice zone. Strategies like pedestrianisation and park-and-ride can benefit residents as well as assisting in managing tourism and the tourist experience.

Closure Closing areas to allow regeneration has long been a management practice in natural areas. Thai officials said Maya Bay needed an enforced break from the daytrippers who have flocked there since it was featured in 2000 film The Beach. more Thailand closed dozens of dive sites to tourists in 2011. Koh Yoong, in the Phi Phi island chain and Koh Tachai, in the Similan Islands National Park, have also been off-limits to visitors since mid-2016. more Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced that  Boracay Island will also be closing for a few months, having, in his words, become an overcrowded "cesspool". more

Banning Second Home Building  Banning the building of second homes may have unintended consequences as those outsiders wanting to purchase buy existing properties raising prices and damaging the local building and tourism industries. 

Banning Motor Homes  In the UK Swale Borough Council in Kent has used Section 43 of the anti-social behaviour, crime and policing act to ban overnight camping between 8pm and 8am as illegal and likely to have a "detrimental effect" on locals. The Council says that the council had received complaints "This conduct is unreasonable and must stop immediately." Continued use would result in a £100 fixed penalty notice. If unpaid, magistrates can issue a fine of up to £2,500 and require the "surrender of possessions" which could then be destroyed or disposed of by police.

Section 43: Power to issue notices (1)An authorised person may issue a community protection notice to an individual aged 16 or over, or a body, if satisfied on reasonable grounds that— (a)the conduct of the individual or body is having a detrimental effect, of a persistent or continuing nature, on the quality of life of those in the locality, and (b)the conduct is unreasonable.

In New Zealand, new legislation was introduced in August 2011 empowering local councils to issue fines to people freedom camping in non-designated places. Details 

Demand-side initiatives

Ministers of Tourism and DMOs are generally judged by the visitor arrivals figures, and for national governments with their focus on exports, international arrivals are the key measure of the value of the marketing organisation. If you change the KPI of a marketer, they will deliver to it. A destination could choose to focus on visitor spend, length of stay, distribution and dispersal or on particular market segments. If you don't change the KPIs they will do the easy thing and sell the honeypots.

Attract tourists who fit the destination - change the destination's image Businesses and the destination marketers should focus their efforts on attracting the market segments which fit the destination. Barcelona has been explicit:

“What is good for citizens is good for the tourist. Places that are good to live in are also good to visit. Efforts will be made to improve the quality of life for local people by managing the friction between residents and visitors and to improve the interaction between hosts and guests…..” and that the “tourist that Catalunya wants to attract is the one who will respect the environment, the society and the local culture, eager to discover and share experiences.” more

Cap Arrivals Neither Barcelona nor Venice is able to manage tourist arrivals, both have good road links, airports, railway stations and ports, none of which are they able to manage. Dubrovnik, by contrast, has been able to limit cruise ship arrivals. In October 2018 it announced that it is limiting cruise ship arrivals from 2019 to two per day, allowing only 5,000 visitors to arrive by sea each day.

Bruges has placed a cap on the number of cruise ships and an end to all advertising campaigns encouraging daytrippers.

  Change Tourist Behaviour through marketing and advice

a) Demarketing Demarketing can be used to discourage visitors in order to reduce negative impacts – as with marketing there is a range of methods available from price rises to reducing promotional activity and spreading the word that the quality of the experience has deteriorated to discourage visitors.

b) Discourage “Bad” Tourists and Tourism Banning stag nights and hen dos. In Barcelona, it is known as “turismo de Borrachera” travelling to another place to behave in ways you would not do where you are known. This does not always require travel across an international boundary.

Rome has outlawed men going topless in public and the practice of attaching “love padlocks” to bridges, both of which carry a fine if contravened. Eating messy foods around tourist attractions, touching your lips against the spout when drinking from Roman public water fountains, Ticket touts selling “skip the line” tickets at some of the Eternal City’s biggest attractions, such as the Vatican Museums and Colosseum, are prohibited, as well as those who dress up as Roman centurions around tourist hotspots and charge money for photos.

c) Pricing and Rationing Dynamic pricing charging higher prices at peak demand and lower prices when demand and crowding is less

Site Hardening

Constructing facilities and locating trails and roads to reduce the impacts of visitors on sensitive soils and vegetation, and to help meet the visitors' needs for user access.

Managing activity in the destination

Municipal Regulation Examples where a local government organisation has taken a holistic approach to the management of tourism in the destination as has been the case in, for example, Barcelona and Sagada in the Philippines.

Introducing guide and tour operator licenses. In Barcelona, there is a city task group working to prevent the spread of souvenir shops in Ciutat Vella, Sagrada Família, Park Güell

Dispersal – Spatial Spread the tourist out by encouraging them to visit less visited places, there may well be districts and areas where people would like to see more tourists, boost less popular attractions and develop new ones. Paris has done this effectively for many years. Barcelona has adopted spatial dispersal as part of its strategy and Helsinki has encouraged citizens to invite tourists to visit their favourite places.

Create new itineraries and guided tours to less visited areas Consider regulating group size and coach drop off points to manage visitor flows

In Ireland the Wild Atlantic Way 

Dispersal - temporal Attracting tourists to visit at other times of the year, week and day to disperse the positive and negative impacts of tourism.

Timed Tickets and Differential Pricing

  'Policing' Activities and Behaviour Since May 2017 in Florence:

"From today, we'll be experimenting with a very simple measure: pouring water over the church steps to clean the spaces, and hopefully discourage people from eating, drinking and making a mess there,"

Mayor Dario Nardella told reporters. "If tourists want to sit there, they'll get wet," he said. "Florence is full of cafes with outdoor seating, tables, and benches. The churches aren't restaurants; they are religious and cultural sites." more

Since 2018 in Amsterdam: Public consumption of alcohol will result in a fine of €95; public urination, disorderliness and littering, meanwhile, will draw fines of €140.

The council has also announced plans to tackle overcrowding in The Wallen, which residents say has become “unliveable” due to mass tourism. Streets there will be monitored in real time and coded green, orange or red, depending on how busy they are. If a code red is called, officials will be deployed and “if necessary, streets will be closed,” the council said. More

Closure Komodo, Indonesia  The fight for Dragon Island  Maya Bay "The Beach" Thailand 

If you have solutions for overtourism which you would like to see included here please email [email protected] Your contribution will be acknowledged.

• EU (2018) Research for TRAN Committee - Overtourism: impact and possible policy responses
• Goodwin H (2018) Managing Tourism in Barcelona 2nd Edition
• Goodwin H (2017) The Challenge of Overtourism
• McKinsey & WTTC (2017) Coping with success: Managing overcrowding in tourism destinations
• UNWTO (2018) ‘Overtourism’? – Understanding and Managing Urban Tourism Growth beyond Perceptions, Executive Summary

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Mass tourism: consequences, advantages and disadvantages

• Study Sanctuary

Have you ever been on vacation? If so, then you were a tourist at that time. You may also have noticed that sometimes many travelers vacation in exactly the same place. It’s called that mass tourism .

Mass tourism has certain characteristics and consequences – so there are advantages and disadvantages to mass tourism. But where can you find examples of mass tourism and are there solutions to the problems of mass tourism?

Mass tourism simply explained

Mass tourism, simply explained, describes the travel of many people in one place. In order to understand what mass tourism actually is, you should first know what tourism basically is.

tourism describes the temporary change in location of a person through traveling to a foreign place and the associated leaving of their living and working environment.

There are different types of tourism, such as cultural tourism, adventure tourism and individual tourism. And mass tourism is also such a type of tourism.

For more information about tourism in general and the different types of tourism, see the tourism explanation. Feel free to take a look at it as a supplement to this.

Mass tourism definition

As the term suggests, mass tourism is about large numbers of travelers.

The mass tourism describes tourism as a mass phenomenon in a certain place.

With mass tourism, many tourists travel to the same place. This can be a single city, a country or a region made up of several countries. The tourist destination that is being visited is also called Destination .

You can find mass tourism, for example, in the city of Venice in Italy, but also on the island of Mallorca in Spain and in the Alps, which stretch across several countries.

Mass tourism characteristics

Like all other types of tourism, mass tourism also has typical characteristics. The most striking features of mass tourism are:

• large crowds at a tourist destination
• many cheap all-inclusive offers and package holidays
• developed infrastructure
• many, often full hotels
• crowded beaches, restaurants, bars and tourist attractions
• only a few locals

Mass tourism syndrome

With the so-called Syndrome concept In business, attempts are made to clarify and clearly describe changes in the environment. All causes and consequences for a phenomenon are listed, organized and analyzed for interactions. This creates a network of causes and consequences that depend on and support each other.4

The Mass tourism syndrome In this context, describes the connection between all the causes and consequences of mass tourism, which are mutually dependent and can reinforce each other.

Mass tourism causes

Around the middle of the 20th century, mass tourism began to develop and become more widespread. By some simultaneous developments in the economy and society Travel volumes grew significantly and mass tourism developed.

These economic and social developments can therefore be seen as the causes of mass tourism:

• increasing population
• increasing prosperity of the population
• improved, cheaper mobility, especially when traveling by air
• Changing values ​​in the world of work, which increased the importance of leisure time
• global networking through globalization

Globalization refers to the process in which all parts of the world are becoming increasingly stronger, faster and better connected to one another. You can find out more about this in our own explanation on this topic.

Mass tourism consequences

Due to the high volume of travelers at a tourist destination, mass tourism has consequences for the environment as well as for the society and economy of this destination. So they can be divided into:

• economic consequences
• ecological consequences
• social consequences

Most of the consequences of mass tourism have a negative effect, but mass tourism also has consequences that have a positive effect.

Mass tourism consequences – economic

On the Business Mass tourism has both positive and negative effects on the destination under consideration.

Positive economic consequences of mass tourism are:

• Creating jobs for example in hotels, restaurants and bars
• extension of infrastructure for example streets, public transport and supermarkets

However, the most devastating negative impact on the economy of a mass tourism destination is that local companies are inferior to large international companies are. Most of the profits generated by mass tourism flow abroad and not to the local population.

International hotel chains can usually offer travelers cheaper prices, more offers and often more luxury than local hotels and guesthouses. Most tourists therefore book large, international hotels and avoid local accommodation.

Mass tourism consequences – ecological

For the Environment mass tourism has consequences that are particularly devastating and are increasingly damaging the environment. Having so many travelers in one place or region creates a number of problems:

• increasing CO₂ emissions through arrival and departure and movement at the destination
• increased waste generation especially plastic waste that ends up in nature
• Drinking water shortage through enormous water consumption
• Sealing the floor through development with hotels and roads

Mass tourism consequences – social

Mass tourism also has negative consequences for the locals of the tourist destination and their culture. The main negative social consequences of mass tourism are:

• declining quality of life due to noise pollution and crowded places
• Commercialization of native culture for example by selling cultural items or presenting traditions as an entertainment show
• Animal suffering through Use of animals as tourist attractions
• violate human rights due to a lack of consideration for local businesses or locals

An example of the violation of human rights caused by mass tourism is the so-called Sex tourism .

In this form of mass tourism, many people travel to a specific destination to have sex there. However, this often does not happen consensually or the person is a minor, which clearly violates all human rights.

Commercialization means concentrating on economic aspects in order to make profit from a circumstance.

Mass tourism advantages and disadvantages

As you can see, mass tourism has both advantages and disadvantages for the destination and its local population as well as for travelers. Table 1 summarizes all the advantages and disadvantages of mass tourism:

affectedAdvantagesDisadvantagesDestination and local populationMany jobs in the tourism industryEnvironmental pollution and resource consumptionDecreasing quality of lifeExpansion of infrastructureHuman rights violatedCommercialization of cultureTravelersCheap offersOvercrowded destinations and large crowdsNo foreign language necessary, as hardly any locals

Table 1 – Mass tourism advantages and disadvantages

Mass tourism problems and solutions

As you now know, mass tourism causes many problems that affect the environment, economy and society. To counteract these problems, alternatives to mass tourism and other solutions are being sought.

In general, there are a few basic things you can do as a traveler or traveler to counteract the problems of mass tourism, such as becoming more involved with the culture and population, supporting local businesses and choosing less popular destinations.

A countermovement to mass tourism, on the other hand, is so-called soft tourism.

Mild tourism

The type of tourism of soft tourism attempts to design tourism differently than mass tourism and thus avoid some of the problems of mass tourism.

The s early tourism is a type of travel that aims to protect the destination ecologically and socially without ending economic growth.

The aim of soft tourism is to better protect the environment and to support the local population more without losing the economic viability of tourism.

The basic characteristics of gentle tourism contradict those of mass tourism:

• few people at a destination
• individual offers from local travel companies and hotels
• Influence of local culture and lifestyle
• Environmental protection concepts

These features are an attempt to make tourism more sustainable and considerate. To this end, the destinations that practice gentle tourism are working on an individual concept for their place or region.

If you would like to read more about gentle tourism, please take a look at the relevant explanation.

Mass tourism examples

Geographically speaking, mass tourism is increasing mountain – and Coastal regions instead, because there are a lot of attractions and leisure activities there. These include, among others, these places or regions:

Mass tourism Venice

Venice is a city in Italy, located on the Adriatic coast in the east of the country. The city is particularly known for its gondola rides through the canals, St. Mark’s Square, its carnival and the Biennale, an art exhibition.

Venice is considered a destination known for its mass tourism. In 2019, a total of around 33 million travelers came to the Italian city – that corresponds to around 90,000 tourists per day.5

For years, Venetians have felt bothered by constant noise and overcrowded streets.

In order to counteract mass tourism, a visitor tax is to be introduced next year. Then visitors who do not stay in Venice for at least one night would have to pay an entrance fee of three to five euros.5

Many residents of Venice doubt that this tax will achieve anything. Compared to the very high prices for food, drinks and leisure activities in Venice, three to five euros is not much, so this amount is unlikely to deter many travelers.

Mallorca is one of the five Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and belongs to Spain. Mass tourism has been a major problem here for many years and leads to water shortages, overcrowded streets and beaches and soil sealing due to the construction of countless hotels.

4.6 million travelers arrived in Mallorca in the first half of 2022 – even though the actual high season for tourism there is only in July and August. In order to counteract these high numbers and curb the problems of mass tourism, the government of Mallorca is now considering measures. 6

The Alps are a high mountain range and extend over around 1,200 kilometers in Central Europe. They are one of the largest tourist regions in the world and are a…

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Venice Overtourism: How a Small City is Dealing With Mass Tourism

In the heart of the city, St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge have transformed from cultural landmarks to tourist traps, swarming with day trippers who contribute little to the local economy. The small city, once a serene escape, now grapples with the consequences of mass tourism—a term that’s become synonymous with visiting Venice.

But this isn’t just a story of overcrowded plazas and selfie sticks. It’s a narrative that delves into the very fabric of Venice, questioning how a city built on stilts can sustain the weight of its own popularity. From the visitor tax aimed at mitigating the flood of tourists to the more literal floods exacerbated by climate change, Venice is at a tipping point.

So, as we navigate through this intricate issue, we’ll explore the tension between tourism and sustainability, the impact on the local economy, and the ethical considerations of visiting a city that’s sinking under its own fame. Buckle up; it’s going to be a riveting journey.

• What is Causing Venice's Overtourism?
• Overtourism's Toll on Venice

How Venice is Countering Overcrowding

• Venice's Dance with UNESCO and the Failure to Act

Venice Tourist Tax

• Venice's Most Visited Landmarks

How To Visit Venice Responsibly

• Frequently Asked Questions on Venice's Tourists

1. Why is Venice experiencing overtourism?

2. what are the main consequences of overtourism in venice, 3. what steps are being taken to combat overtourism, 4. how can i visit venice responsibly, 5. is it ethical to visit venice given the current overtourism issue, related posts.

What is Causing Venice’s Overtourism?

At its core, Venice overtourism is a tale of excess—a city drowning under the weight of its own popularity. Imagine, if you will, a staggering 20 million souls descending upon this small city each year.

On peak days, the visitor count swells to 120,000, starkly contrasting the mere 55,000 who call Venice home. The irony? Most of these pilgrims are drawn like moths to the flame of iconic landmarks like the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square , further compacting their presence into an already cramped space. The result is a cityscape that’s not just crowded but also crumbling, its infrastructure gasping for air.

But let’s not kid ourselves; this isn’t merely a Venetian tragedy. The same plot unfolds in Barcelona, Reykjavik, and Dubrovnik. The culprits? The unholy trinity of low-cost aviation, mammoth cruise ships, and the rise of home-sharing platforms.

Add to this the phenomenon of the “day tripper”—those who breeze through the city like a whirlwind, barely touching the ground. They’re the ultimate paradox: visitors who don’t really “visit Venice.” They snap a few photos, buy some kitschy souvenirs , and vanish, leaving nary a ripple in the local economy.

And what of those who do linger for a night or two? They’re part of the problem, too. With property prices soaring to stratospheric levels, what could be family homes or affordable rentals are morphing into cash cows for vacation stays. The result? A city where only the well-heeled can afford the luxury of residency.

So, as we peel back the layers of this complex issue, we find a web of contributing factors, each more intricate than the last. It’s a narrative that begs the question: How can Venice reclaim its soul while still extending an open arm to the world?

Overtourism’s Toll on Venice

Imagine being a local Venetian, waking up to the cacophony of rolling suitcases and the incessant clicks of selfie sticks. Your daily commute isn’t just a walk; it’s an obstacle course through throngs of tourists who think it’s cute to swim in canals or have a picnic on ancient bridges. You’re not just navigating streets; you’re navigating a minefield of disrespect. The city you once knew—the city you love—is now a playground for visitors who leave more than just footprints; they leave scars.

But the wounds run deeper than mere inconvenience. The very essence of Venice is being diluted, its artisan spirit eroded by the tidal wave of tourism. Walk into a bar, and the music caters not to the local ear but to the tourist’s playlist. The food, the merchandise, the very air you breathe—it’s all been commodified, repackaged for mass consumption. And what’s left for the locals? A city that’s increasingly inhospitable to its own.

The job market? Forget about it. Unless you’re in the tourism industry, good luck finding work. And so, we arrive at the inevitable outcome: depopulation. Venice, once a bustling city of over 120,000 souls, has dwindled to a mere 55,000. Projections are even grimmer; by 2030, some say, the city could be devoid of full-time residents. Jonathan Keates, chairman of Venice in Peril, warns that if the population dips below 40,000, we’re looking at a city that’s essentially a museum—a relic of its former self.

So, as we wade through the murky waters of Venice overtourism, we’re forced to confront an uncomfortable truth: the city is at risk of losing not just its character but its very lifeblood. And that, my friends, is a tragedy we cannot afford to ignore.

In a move that’s both applauded and criticized, the Italian government swung the hammer in 2017, banning cruise ships weighing over 55,000 tonnes from sailing into St. Mark’s Basin and the Giudecca Canal starting 2021.

The behemoths of the sea will now have to dock their hulking masses in Marghera, a mainland port. It’s a step, albeit a contentious one, toward reclaiming Venice’s fragile waterways. But it’s not just to reduce crowds, banning tourist ships has helped with Venice’s flooding issues .

Then there’s Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, a man walking a tightrope between preservation and public outcry. In 2018, he unveiled a divisive plan to control the human tide flooding Venice’s iconic landmarks.

Imagine this: turnstiles at the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square, diverting tourists like cattle while allowing only locals and business folks to traverse the city’s arterial routes. And if you dare to roll into Venice in your car without pre-booked parking? You might as well U-turn at the Ponta della Liberta. The mayor didn’t stop there; he slapped fines on everything from noisy wheelie suitcases to public picnics.

But not everyone’s singing the mayor’s tune. In a dramatic act of defiance, protesters tore down the newly erected turnstiles, their chants of “Free Venice” echoing through the city’s ancient corridors. Activist Marco Baravalle summed it up: “Venice is dying… The mayor’s turnstiles signify surrender—a Venice devoid of its lifeblood.”

So here we are, at the crossroads of preservation and freedom, each path fraught with its own set of challenges and ethical dilemmas.

Venice’s Dance with UNESCO and the Failure to Act

Overtourism in Venice isn’t yesterday’s news; it’s a haunting refrain that’s been echoing for years. UNESCO, the global guardian of heritage, has been sounding the alarm bells since 2014. They gave Italy a two-year ultimatum to get its act together, demanding a sustainable tourism strategy and a coordinated approach to preserve Venice’s ‘outstanding universal value.’ Fast forward to 2017, and the city found itself teetering on the edge of UNESCO’s ‘sites in danger’ list—a fate deferred, but not dismissed, until 2018.

The inertia is maddening, to say the least. Just ask Justin Francis, CEO of Responsible Travel, who can barely contain his exasperation: “How did we get here? How did this jewel of a city end up on the brink?” For years, Venice has been unable to stem the tide of tourists pouring in from cruise ships and Airbnb rentals. The result? A city divided, its social fabric torn between residents and visitors. “Venice has been reduced to a theme park,” Francis laments. “Tourism should be a bridge, not a wall. It should unite locals and tourists in a symbiotic relationship, not segregate them.”

So, as the sands of time slip through our fingers, we’re left grappling with a Venice that’s at a critical juncture. The question isn’t just how to save the city, but how to restore its soul in a way that honors both its residents and its global admirers.

The Venice Tourist Tax is a fee that visitors must pay to enter the city. Initially planned to be implemented in January 2022, the tax has been postponed multiple times and is now expected to be in effect by at least 2024. The tax will range from 3 to 10 euros, depending on the tourist flow on a given day.

The tax aims to control the number of visitors and better manage the city’s resources. The tax will not apply to those staying in hotels within Venice, as they already pay a local city tax. Various exemptions are in place, including for residents, students, and those in Venice for official business. Fines for non-compliance will range from 100 to 450 euros.

Update 09.13.2023:

Venice’s city council has approved the daytime tax for visitors. Starting in 2024, day visitors will be required to pay 5 euros ($5.38) to visit the city.

This tax will be in effect for 30 non-consecutive days, primarily during long weekends in the spring and regular weekends in the summer. The exact dates will be announced soon.

The tax is aimed at protecting Venice from the detrimental effects of mass tourism. Overnight travelers are exempt from this tax but are subject to a separate tourist tax introduced in 2011. The overnight travelers tax ranges from 1 to 5 euros per person per night for the first five nights.

The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, has stated that this tax is an experiment to manage overtourism without causing harm.

#ConsiglioComunale | Approvato il Regolamento per il contributo d’accesso per i turisti giornalieri! Faremo una sperimentazione con grande umiltà e cercheremo di non danneggiare nessuno. È una delle azioni che abbiamo messo in campo per proteggere la Città del turismo di… pic.twitter.com/LJ9iSqmT9d — Luigi Brugnaro (@LuigiBrugnaro) September 12, 2023

Venice’s Most Visited Landmarks

• St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) : The grand living room of Venice, a must-see that’s often the first stop for any visitor.
• St. Mark’s Basilica : An architectural marvel that is a testament to Venice’s opulence and Byzantine influences.
• Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) : A symbol of the city’s former maritime might and political prowess.
• Rialto Bridge : The oldest and most iconic bridge spanning the Grand Canal, a bustling hub of commerce and photography.
• Grand Canal : Venice’s main waterway, best experienced by vaporetto or a romantic gondola ride.
• Bridge of Sighs : A baroque beauty with a melancholic history, connecting the Doge’s Palace to the old prisons.
• Santa Maria della Salute : A stunning baroque church that dominates the Venetian skyline.
• Gallerie dell’Accademia : Home to an impressive collection of Venetian art from the Middle Ages to the 18th century.
• Murano Island : Famous for its centuries-old tradition of glassmaking.
• Burano Island : Known for its colorful houses and intricate lacework.
• Lido : Venice’s beach, a break from the city’s labyrinthine canals and narrow streets.
• Teatro La Fenice : One of the most famous opera houses in Italy, a phoenix risen from the ashes—literally.
• Scuola Grande di San Rocco : A masterpiece of Tintoretto, showcasing some of his finest works.
• Jewish Ghetto : The world’s first ghetto, a poignant reminder of Venice’s complex history.

• Off-Peak Visits : Consider visiting Venice during the shoulder seasons. Fewer crowds mean a more authentic experience and less strain on local resources.
• Stay Local : Opt for locally-owned accommodations over large hotel chains or Airbnb rentals that drive up property prices for residents.
• Spend Wisely : Invest in the local economy by dining at local restaurants, shopping at local markets, and hiring local guides.
• Mindful Movement : Avoid cruise ships and consider arriving by train or eco-friendly modes of transport. Once there, walk or use public vaporettos rather than private water taxis.
• Cultural Respect : Learn a few basic phrases in Italian, understand local customs, and respect public spaces. No picnicking on bridges or swimming in canals, please.
• Low-Impact Exploration : Stick to the less-trodden paths. Visit lesser-known landmarks and neighborhoods to spread the tourist load.
• Sustainable Souvenirs : Buy locally-made crafts and products rather than mass-produced trinkets. Murano glass or Burano lace, anyone?
• Leave No Trace : Dispose of your waste properly. Venice has a fragile ecosystem that’s easily disrupted by litter.
• Educate Yourself : Before you go, read up on Venice’s history, culture, and the challenges it faces. Knowledge is the first step toward empathy and responsible action.
• Advocate and Share : Use your social media platforms to educate others about responsible travel. Your influence can make a difference.
• Support Local Initiatives : Contribute to local organizations working to preserve Venice’s cultural and natural heritage.
• Be Mindful of Photography : Respect people’s privacy and property when taking photos. Not everything needs to be Instagrammed.

For more information, read our guide to the best times to visit Venice .

Frequently Asked Questions on Venice’s Tourists

Venice is a victim of its own allure—a city so captivating that it draws millions each year. The rise of low-cost airlines, cruise ships, and home-sharing platforms like Airbnb have made it easier than ever to “visit Venice,” exacerbating the problem. The city’s small size and fragile ecosystem make it particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of mass tourism.

The repercussions are manifold, affecting both the physical city and its community. Landmarks like St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge are overcrowded, leading to wear and tear. The local economy is skewed towards tourism, making it hard for residents to find non-tourism jobs. This has led to depopulation, as locals move away in search of better opportunities.

Various measures have been implemented, such as banning large cruise ships from certain canals and introducing visitor taxes. The Mayor has also proposed controlling access to popular sites and fining inappropriate behavior. However, these steps have been met with mixed reactions, and the effectiveness remains to be seen.

Being a responsible traveler involves making conscious choices. Visit during off-peak seasons, stay in locally-owned accommodations, and spend your money at local businesses. Be respectful of the city’s cultural heritage and natural environment. Educate yourself about the issues Venice faces and consider how your actions can either contribute to the problem or be part of the solution.

This is a complex question with no easy answer. On one hand, tourism is a significant part of Venice’s economy. On the other, the city is clearly struggling under the weight of its own popularity. The key is to visit in a way that minimizes your negative impact and maximizes your positive contributions to the local community and environment.

As we navigate the labyrinthine canals and complexities of Venice overtourism, it’s clear that the city stands at a critical juncture. The choices we make today—as travelers, as policymakers, as global citizens—will echo through the annals of Venice’s history. But let’s not forget, Venice isn’t just a city; it’s a living, breathing entity that embodies the collective memory and dreams of humanity. It’s a place that deserves not just our admiration but also our utmost respect and care. So, as you ponder your next journey, consider how you can be a part of Venice’s preservation, not its downfall. The city’s future, in many ways, is in our hands. We invite you to join this crucial conversation. What are your thoughts on overtourism in Venice? How can we, as a global community, contribute to the city’s sustainability? Share your insights, experiences, and suggestions in the comments below. Let’s come together to write the next chapter in Venice’s storied history—a chapter that speaks of revival, respect, and responsible travel.

Venice Flooding: Why Is Venice Sinking?

Venice faces rising sea tides that could destroy this ancient city. Learn about the causes of the flooding, what Venice is doing to stop it, and more.

Venice Alternatives Around the World

As you plan your next trip abroad, consider these cities as Venice alternatives. Each location offers a unique take on Venetian romance and wonder. Read more.

About Todd O'Rourke

Todd is an award-winning writer and filmmaker who co-founded Compass and Pine with his dog Leg. Together, they have traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, with their base of operations in Philadelphia.

He started Compass and Pine after living in Vicenza, Italy for three years and falling deeply in love with the country, the people, and, of course, the food.

His favorite city is Florence, Italy, and his favorite National Park is Olympic in Washington.

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Mass tourism, biosecurity and sustainability challenges: prospects illustrated by the current COVID-19 pandemic

Journal of Tourism Futures

ISSN : 2055-5911

Article publication date: 23 March 2023

Using COVID-19 pandemic as a more immediate empirical reference, this paper aims to understand the biosecurity risks arising from tourist activities and, through a more prospective analysis, to consider the relevance of public health issues in the context of tourism-sustainability nexuses.

Design/methodology/approach

The text assumes a hybrid format, incorporating elements resulting from empirical research and essayistic viewpoints. The collection of empirical elements was based on documental research in several sources, such as newspapers, international institutions of an intergovernmental nature and the discussion forum of the travel platform TripAdvisor.

By assuming mobility and large agglomerations of people from different origins, mass tourism has fostered multiple outbreaks of COVID-19 and the rapid global spread of contagion chains. The pandemic clearly exemplified the responsibility of tourism in the dispersion of biotic agents with severe ecological, economic, social and public health repercussions. It is, therefore, urgent to rethink the tourism growth trajectory and more effectively consider the biosecurity risks associated with mobility in discussions on tourism and sustainability. At the same time, tourism must be delineated in terms of the great aims of sustainability, and this transversal purpose to which it contributes should be considered an intrinsic condition of its own sectorial sustainability as an economic activity.

Originality/value

The biosecurity challenges posed by mass tourism are a very topical issue, still little considered in sustainability policies and on which there is a marked deficit in scientific research.

• Mass tourism
• COVID-19 pandemic
• Biosecurity
• Sustainability

Sacramento, O. (2023), "Mass tourism, biosecurity and sustainability challenges: prospects illustrated by the current COVID-19 pandemic", Journal of Tourism Futures , Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JTF-07-2022-0173

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Octávio Sacramento

Published in Journal of Tourism Futures . Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode

1. Introduction

Mass tourism produces a very negative ecological and social impact, and although it generates substantial economic benefits, they are generally unevenly distributed ( Chong, 2019 ; Fang et al. , 2021 ). It could have been expected that the COVID-19 pandemic might have constituted a decisive tipping point for a deprioritising of the economy, considering the tourism system as a means to serve society and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) that foresee the viability of our common future ( Gössling et al. , 2021 ; Higgins-Desbiolles, 2018 ). However, instead of considering the current crisis of the pandemic, together with the climate crisis, as imperative reasons for urgent structural changes in global mass tourism ( Jamal and Budke, 2020 ), it is quite likely – among other possible scenarios of “survival of the fittest” (collapse), “business as unusual” (transition) and “responsible tourism” (transformation) ( Postma et al. , 2020 ; Yeoman et al ., 2022 ) – that there will be a return to “business as usual” (growth) and the old normality of unsustainable tourism as soon as the health crisis is overcome ( Hall et al. , 2020 ; Ioannides and Gyimóthy, 2020 ; Vărzaru et al. , 2021 ). In fact, the dominant concern has been the profound negative economic impact of COVID-19, especially in regard to tourism ( Sharma and Nicolau, 2020 ; Uğur and Akbıyık, 2020 ; United Nations, 2020 ; Yeh, 2021 ), with a constant reiteration of the urgency of resuming stimulating activity, based on a “boosterist”, expansionary and pro-growth motivation ( Higgins-Desbiolles, 2021 ).

With this materialist immediacy, the fact that tourism is falling victim to itself as one of the main causes of the pandemic tends to be relegated to the background, being overlooked that he is suffering the consequences of a health crisis to which it contributed greatly. Something very similar has been happening for many years in the context of the climate crisis, which has also had very profound negative effects in the field of tourism, as the so-called pro-limits critics of tourism have been warning ( Bramwell and Lane, 2011 ; Gössling et al. , 2021 ; Hall et al. , 2020 ; Higgins-Desbiolles, 2021 ). Inspired by these standpoints, I discuss here the role of mass tourism flows in the development of the COVID-19 pandemic and, from there, I try to reflect on the future of tourism's sustainability. The theoretical framework of this analysis integrates several perspectives and contributions, predominantly sociological, that make up the so-called “critical tourism studies”: a set of approaches devoted to socioeconomic and political critique that seek to make tourism a more equitable and sustainable social space ( Ateljevic et al. , 2012 ; Pritchard et al. , 2011 ). Based on this conceptual lens, the analysis is guided by two central objectives: understand how tourism activities and mobility have contributed to generating epidemiological risks – raising enormous challenges in the field of biosecurity ( Chen et al. , 2021 ; Iaquinto, 2020 ; Hall, 2015 ) – and projecting the urgency of give greater visibility to public health issues in discussions about tourism and sustainability.

The article is written in a hybrid format, incorporating both empirical research and essayistic viewpoints through which I seek to develop some prospective reflections on the public health challenges in the context of tourism sustainability. The empirical research was predominantly directed towards the collection of data on mass tourism as a vector of the rapid globalization of COVID-19. To this end, I chose documentary research – mainly secondary data analysis and policy research ( Tight, 2019 ) – as the most appropriate methodological approach to collect data (documentary elements, statistical information, reports and written statements) that would enable sound analytical connections to be made between international tourism and biosecurity threats. Through this documentary research, I access mainly media sources (e.g. newspapers), information associated with large international institutions of an intergovernmental nature (e.g. World Tourism Organization [WTO]) and the discussion forum of the travel platform TripAdvisor. The triangulation of empirical content resulting from these sources enabled the development of sustained inferences about the tourism-pandemic nexus. At the same time, provided a factual basis for problematizing the challenges and conceptualizations around sustainability, seeking to show the relevance of including bio-risks and public health issues more effectively in this discussion. The aim is to point towards a desirable (and urgent) future in which the biosecurity risks associated with tourist mobility are consistently considered as sustainability risks, leading to policies and tourism governance strategies aimed at minimising these risks.

2. Tourism as a powerful contagion vector

In the 21st century, tourism has asserted itself as a strong sector in global expansion, in which more and more countries are investing to diversify or boost their economies, as well as promote rural areas in demographic decline ( Cheer et al. , 2019 ; Croce, 2018 ; Khan, 2020 ). Immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and the consequent mobility restrictions, the year 2019 ended with a record of 1,460 billion international tourist arrivals – around 60 times more than in 1950 ( WTO, 2021 ). Tourist mobility in 2019 represented 10.4% of the global gross domestic product (GDP), with a turnover comparable, for example, to that of oil production ( World Travel and Tourism Council [WTTC], 2021 ). The economic performance of world tourism has been celebrated by many, namely by the major international organizations of the sector (e.g. WTO, WTTC), as an unquestionable success and reason to continue to grow, without giving the due attention to the multiple risks arising from tourism and its global expansion.

Some of these risks – for tourists and their respective places of origin and destination – are located in the field of biosecurity and public health, with particular emphasis on the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 ( Chen et al. , 2021 ; Gössling, 2002 ; Hall, 2015 , 2019a ; Hall and Baird, 2013 ; Iaquinto, 2020 ; Melly and Hanrahan, 2021 ; Sabin et al. , 2020 ; Sacramento, 2022 ). As highlighted by Gössling et al. (2021, p. 13) , “tourism is about movement, and transport does act as a vector for the distribution of pathogens at regional and global scales”. Today tourism is, to a large extent, driven by global air transport networks which create conditions conducive to rapid and widespread contagion and epidemiological dispersion processes ( Brockmann, 2018 ; Brockmann and Helbing, 2013 ). Air transport implies large concentrations of people, closed spaces and many health challenges (e.g. air filtration), generating increased risks in terms of transmission of infectious agents ( Grout et al. , 2017 ). It can also facilitate the circulation of infectious arbovirus vectors, such as mosquitoes ( Kraemer et al. , 2015 ; Wilson, 2020 ). Air mobility constitutes a powerful macro-vector for the amplification and acceleration of contagions, not only because of the material conditions of the transport itself but also because of the diversity of itineraries of those who cross at airports and planes ( Brown et al. , 2016 ; Findlater and Bogoch, 2018 ; Tatem et al. , 2012 ).

Tourism and its associated transport networks are the results of socio-material, more-than-human assemblages, in which multiple actors (e.g. humans, non-humans, technology, institutions and natural resources) interact contingently, contributing to the generation of unforeseen vitalities that pose serious risks of biocontamination and can even create epidemic scenarios ( Brito-Henriques, 2020 ; Hall, 2015 ; Lupton, 2021 ). The responsibility of tourism in the geographical dispersion of biotic agents is processed in two ways: (1) directly, through the tourists themselves, with luggage, food, transport and other material elements associated with the trip; (2) indirectly, because tourist activities are associated with industrial food production prone to outbreaks of zoonotic diseases, are responsible for the invasion of wildlife habitats and contribute to the emission of climate-changing pollutants that disrupt ecosystems ( Gössling et al. , 2021 ; Hall, 2019a ; Melly and Hanrahan, 2021 ).

The Ministry of Health and the Directorate-General for Health confirmed this Monday the first cases of infection by Covid-19 in Portugal. One patient was on vacation in northern Italy and another in Valencia [Spain]. Both are hospitalized in Oporto ( Diário de Notícias, 2020a );

On January 31, Italy detected the first two cases of Covid-19 in the country. They were two Chinese tourists from the birthplace of the new coronavirus, Wuhan, who had arrived on the 23rd and visited several Italian cities. That same day, on the remote Spanish island of La Gomera, in the Canary Islands, a German tourist became the first case diagnosed in Spain ( Diário de Notícias, 2020b );

France confirms the first death in Europe from coronavirus. The death of an 80-year-old Chinese tourist in a Paris hospital was the first known fatality from the new virus outside Asia ( The New York Times, 2020 );

There have now been four reported cases of novel coronavirus infection found in Thailand: three Chinese tourists and one Thai ( Bangkok Post, 2020 );

Brazil confirms that a new strain [of SARS-CoV-2] detected in Japan is circulating in the Amazon. The variant arrived in Japan after four Japanese travellers visited the Brazilian Amazon and presented a series of unprecedented mutations ( Público, 2021 ).

By accumulating large numbers of people from different origins in small compacted spaces and infrastructures with shared material elements, international tourism scenarios fostered multiple outbreaks of COVID-19 and boosted the rapid global spread of the infection, as has happened in other infectious disease events. Regardless of its scales, typologies and specific configurations, mass tourism presumes a high density of transit and coexistence of people. The “mobilities are made with the encapsulation of bodies in mobile closed spaces – planes, buses, cruises, etc. – and flows converge and compress as they pass through nodes – airports, hotels, congress centres, museums, etc. – that stimulate interactions and human contact with each other and with different forms of materiality” ( Brito-Henriques, 2020, p. 207 ). It is precisely this intense density of movement that caused the most immediate physical conditions to make tourism a phenomenon inseparable from the instigators that boosted the COVID-19 pandemic.

From January 2020, up until the generalization of travel restrictions, there were several contexts in which tourist mobilities were intrinsically associated with the geographic expansion of contagion chains ( Sacramento, 2022 ). As an example, I address one of these tourist contexts of super-spreading of SARS-CoV-2: the ski resort of Ischgl, in the Alps.

2.1 A paradigmatic tourism scenario of SARS-CoV-2 global dissemination: the Ischgl ski resort

During the 2020 and 2021 ski seasons, there were major outbreaks of COVID-19 in resorts in several countries, especially in the Alpine region (Austria, Switzerland and Italy) and North America. In the USA, the disease outbreaks in the first months of 2021 in around 15 resorts in the state of Colorado are the most noteworthy, particularly in Winter Park, which has recorded more than 100 positive cases of the disease among the respective workers alone ( CPR News, 2021 ). In neighbouring Canada, the Whistler Blackcomb resort, the largest in North America, closed in late March 2021, was linked to 200 of the 877 cases of the “Brazilian variant” (P1) in the province of British Columbia, at the time the largest outbreak of this variant outside Brazil ( The Guardian, 2021 ). Arguably the most problematic situation, however, occurred about a year earlier, in the first months of 2020, in the centre of the European continent, in the Alps, particularly in Ischgl (Paznaun, Austrian Tyrol). As such, this will be the example I give the most attention.

Before the outbreak of Covid-19, in the winter season of 2018–2019, the ski resort of Ischgl, famously known as the “Ibiza of the Alps”, registered 300,414 arrivals of tourists from different origins and 1,409,478 overnight stays ( Tyrol Provincial Government, 2019, p. 28 ). Its association with the Samnaun resort (Ischgl/Samnaun Silvretta Arena) places this ski destination among the 10 largest in Europe and among the 50 largest in the world ( Vanat, 2020 ). These resorts staged the scene of one of the largest global events of super-spreading of SARS-CoV-2. During the “peak” of the high ski season, between the end of February and the beginning of March 2020, it was estimated that more than 6,000 people from about half a hundred of nations may have been infected in Ischgl and transported the virus to their respective countries [1] , quickly dispersing it worldwide. The initial contagion was so massive that, according to a serological study carried out by the Innsbruck University of Medicine, at the end of April 2020 more than 42% of residents in Ischgl already had antibodies to the virus ( Van Laer et al. , 2020 ). Not only because of the number of infections, but also because of the multinationality of the infected and the fact that contagions occurred at an early stage of the pandemic, Ischgl played a very significant role, along with other alpine resorts, to the speed with which COVID-19 took hold in the European continent and its spread worldwide ( Correa-Martínez et al. , 2020 ; Kreidl et al. , 2020 ).

The specific question that remains is what socio-material conditions have fostered the viral outbreak in Ischgl and other ski resorts? There are immediate visible reasons of a structural nature, inherently characteristic to most touristic contexts: the sharp reduction in air travel costs and the unconditional “open doors” positioning of destinations – presented as free territories ready to be consumed –, which led to a spiral of hyper-massification of tourism with the potential to create epidemic scenarios. The photographs that follow ( Plates 1 and 2 ) illustrate the many directions that opened Ischgl to the rest of the world and brought thousands of people to it, who settled there in a compact and active way, living in (almost) “a state of exception” and transforming the resort into a “post-national zone”: “a space of which the traditional nation-state is not in complete control, meshing together, as it does, various kinds of ‘circulating’ populations with different kinds of ‘locals’. […] a space densely and continuously connected to places beyond the nation” ( Inda, 2000, pp. 92–99 ).

Besides the more general and structural conditions related to the wide concentration of people from different geographic origins, common to many other tourist destinations, the set of specific circumstances directly responsible for the massive contagion processes in ski resorts has not yet been unequivocally identified. However, some possibilities are already considered as quite probable, such as (1) the high weekly turnover of thousands of tourists; (2) socially intense après-ski recreational activities, which presuppose close contacts, especially in closed spaces; (3) the long queues and crowds that form on cable cars, lift lines, restaurants, shops and many other facilities; (4) sharing accommodation between groups of resort employees and between groups of tourists, which often result in situations of high concentration of people in the same dwelling; (5) frequent physical contact with a wide variety of shared surfaces (e.g. cable cars, perches, rented equipment, handrails and doors), facilitating possible contagion through fomites; (6) the presence of nasal secretions on gloves resulting from constant cold-induced rhinorrhoea ( Dalton et al ., 2020 ; Felbermayr et al ., 2021 ; Gianfredi et al. , 2021 ; Kreidl et al. , 2020 ).

Our only other comment is that it really is becoming too busy. You used to go out sure you’d not have to wait for lifts and sure the slopes would be safe. Last week (admittedly a holiday week when there was bad weather at times) there were times when the queues built up at bottlenecks and when some slopes were lethal because of the crowding, number of people on slopes they couldn’t handle and general idiocy of groups of young lads skiing recklessly. It’s also now really difficult to find a place to eat or drink for a pit stop - you have to reserve tables for lunch which never used to be the case and is really annoying. The self service restaurants are all far too busy. We’ll not be going back at peak season (LondonFriday, Gurugram-Índia, 01/03/2020).

This resort is huge and caters to the glitzy and well-healed skiers who like the party scene. The huge line-ups for the gondolas (at the base) set the tone for our stay. Everything was busy (the runs, the lifts and the restaurants). We had a mixed bag of skiing largely dependent on weather-which is to be expected. Some of the runs and lifts were closed down due to bad weather which made it challenging to get down to the bottom. Some people got stuck on the Swiss side during a storm and had to take long bus ride back to Ischgl (Sue S., Kingston-Canadá, 26/04/2020).

From these excerpts, a set of rhetorical elements (short, but significant) stand out to characterize Ischgl as a tourist destination and, to a certain extent, to qualify the experience of the tourists themselves. Through brief discursive descriptions – “becoming too busy”, “queues built up at bottlenecks”, “crowding”, “restaurants are all far too busy”, “glitz party scene”, “everything was busy” – the testimonies highlight several situations that describe a routine of crowd compression in the spaces and the constant frenetic atmosphere and partying, whether in large concerts with international bands ( Plate 2 , back) or in the day-to-day life in the various and not very large après ski bars existing in the resort. The result was a social ecology that turned out to be convenient for a pathogenic entity that, to a large extent, subsists and circulates based on what, ontologically, defines the human condition: proximity and interpersonal contact.

The analysis of the Ischgl ski resort case allows us to deduce that the rapid internationalisation and growth of mass tourism tends to exceed the ecological, social and organisational capacities of the receiving contexts in terms of welcoming tourist flows and providing unconstrained and pleasant stays for the visitors. This results in scenarios and challenges of over-tourism which, among many other impacts, generate biosecurity risks of a transnational scale and situations of health unsustainability, potentially responsible for severe public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Biosecurity and public health: questioning tourism (and) sustainability

Around the world, in countries at all development levels, many millions of jobs and businesses are dependent on a strong and thriving tourism sector. Tourism has also been a driving force in protecting natural and cultural heritage, preserving them for future generations to enjoy (in https://www.unwto.org );

Tourism is far more than tourism alone. From infrastructure and communication to food production and transport, tourism’s considerable economic weight gives it the responsibility and the power to play a key role in the sustainable and responsible development of economies and societies. Not only has tourism been a sector of consistently above-average growth for eight straight years, with 1.3 billion international tourist arrivals recorded in 2017, but the sector’s cross-cutting nature and wide global reach make it an effective tool to contribute to all of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (in Fair Observer, 2019 ).

In the boosterism that characterizes the approach of the WTO and other entities and agents, the evaluation of tourism (and its success) is almost always done according to the numbers that reflect its expression as a market force and its influence on economic growth (e.g. GDP, % of total exports), assuming that the continuous expansion of tourist activities automatically assures a factor of well-being, development and sustainability ( Higgins-Desbiolles, 2021 ). However, this assumption is based more on wishful thinking than on real measures, results and concrete situations beyond those that fulfil a merely tokenistic function, as was the case of the proclamation of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, in 2017, by the United Nations (UN). In fact, “the idea of tourism being a responsible and sustainable industry is still a far-to-reach goal, as some of the game-changing and promising attempts quickly face the harsh reality of a highly competitive market” ( Stankov et al. , 2020, p. 708 ).

In general, the sector has shown the little capacity and/or willingness to implement structural changes and adopt procedures to face the great contemporary ecological and social challenges, thus becoming less and less sustainable as it expands economically ( Andria et al. , 2021 ; Hall, 2019b ; Moscardo and Murphy, 2014 ; Scott et al. , 2019 ; Sharpley, 2020 ). The inertia in truly facing the many negative impacts of tourist activity results, in the first place, from the blindness induced by market logics and by the unconditional search for growth. But it also results from the semantic complexity of the notion of “sustainable tourism” and the consequent divergence of understandings between academics, tourist agents and technicians about sustainability and the respective forms of operationalization and evaluation ( Andria et al. , 2021 ; Cernat and Gourdon, 2012 ; Gibson, 2012 ; Sørensen and Grindsted, 2021 ).

the potential for disease spread will only increase further as international tourism expands in terms of the number of tourists that travel, as well as the distance travelled. In addition, the risk of biological invasion is only likely to increase further in the future as a result of climate change […], while the potential lag between invasion, population growth on the new range, and impact on indigenous species and the physical environment, may mean that the effects of the rapid growth in tourism mobility from the late 1960s on, may only now be starting to become obvious in some destinations (p. 89).

As we have seen above, based on the example of the Ischgl ski resort, the responsibility of tourist flows in the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic unequivocally proves the relevance of drawing attention to the fact that tourism induces multiple risks of biosecurity and is responsible for the dispersion of organisms with severe ecological, economic, social and public health repercussions at local and transnational scales ( Hall, 2015 ; Hall and Baird, 2013 ; Kim et al. , 2022 ; Mackay et al. , 2021 ; Melly and Hanrahan, 2021 ; Robinson and McNeill, 2022 ). Given the evident role of tourism in the viral globalization of SARS-CoV-2, it is to be expected that the biosecurity challenges raised by tourist mobilities will gain greater attention and be subject to more consistent and effective policy frameworks at international, national and local levels ( Melly and Hanrahan, 2021 ). To this end, it is essential to consider biosecurity and public health as even more relevant dimensions in the SDG ( Kim et al. , 2022 ), bringing to the forefront of the debate on (tourism) sustainability the biohazards generated by mass tourism and valuing health issues as another important pillar to consider in the conceptualisation of sustainability and in the respective policies. At the same time, it is fundamental to question the relationship between tourism and sustainability, assuming that “with the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need not to return to business-as-usual when the crisis over, rather than an opportunity to reconsider a transformation of the global tourism system more aligned to the SDGs” ( Gössling et al. , 2021, p. 15 ).

Recognizing the responsibility of tourist activities in the production of risks and perverse impacts should lead to a rethinking of the tourism-sustainability nexus. In this sense, it is essential to start by clarifying whether tourism and its sustainability (i.e. future viability, mainly economic, in a given context) are an end in themselves or a means of transversally promoting the sustainable development of societies ( Butler, 1999 ; Postma et al. , 2017 ; Saarinen, 2020 ; Simão and Partidário, 2012 ). Given that tourist activities are, by definition, manifestations densely embedded in the social fabric, they must be viewed clearly as part of a much larger whole and positioned in their proper place, “at the service of local communities and societies. Tourism is not an end in itself; thus sustaining tourism is not the ultimate goal” ( Higgins-Desbiolles, 2021, p. 565 ). Only in this way, through its contributions to face the great contemporary social and ecological challenges can tourism truly assert itself as an agent of sustainability; and this transversal purpose to which it contributes is an intrinsic condition of its own sectorial sustainability as an economic activity ( Postma et al. , 2017 ).

The COVID-19 pandemic showed us these links in their most negative manifestations: tourism played a decisive role in the rapid viral circulation on a global scale, which, in turn, implied a kind of shutdown of tourist activities as a strategy of virus containment. The unsustainability of tourism in terms of biosecurity contributed significantly to a scenario of health crises that, in a reverse effect, ended up severely affecting the economic sustainability of the sector. For all these reasons, the eventual critical reconsideration of the tourism growth trajectory (i.e. more tourism equals more benefits) and its greater convergence with the SDGs could even be considered as one of the few “positive aspects” resulting from the pandemic crisis ( Gössling et al. , 2021 ). However, will the post-COVID in fact constitute the end of over-tourism ( Koh, 2020 ) and the emergence of meta-economic modes of tourism, organized primarily according to the social and natural contexts of which they are a part? If something has indeed been learned over the last two years of the pandemic, an increased concern for sustainability issues and responsible tourism models is quite likely ( Postma and Yeoman, 2021 ). In this sense, and taking into account the four post-COVID-19 scenarios for global tourism in 2025 that Yeoman et al. (2022) outlined, let us hope that will come true the scenario of “responsible tourism”, characterised by “A rethinking of the relationship of tourism with the ecosystem; a sustainable and balanced future; a conscious, well-informed and responsible holiday behaviour; rethinking capitalism” ( Yeoman et al. , 2022, p. 186 ).

4. Conclusion

Tourist mobilities are one of the greatest expressions of the fluidity of the contemporary world system that SARS-CoV-2 took advantage of to quickly reach large distances and spread into a pandemic. Increasingly associated with a broad global structure of air mobility, international tourism has become an influential socio-technical vector in the process of the sudden spread of the virus on a planetary scale ( Iaquinto, 2020 ). This was due to the fact that it provided contexts of epidemiological risk resulting from the formation of large transnational clusters of people who, in a matter of days, covered distances of thousands of kilometres and came into close contact with hundreds of other people between the contexts of origin, transit and tourist destination. The case of the Ischgl ski resort presented here – as an example of the coronavirus super-spreading – is paradigmatic of tourism's ability to mobilize and concentrate large numbers of people from multiple origins in rotation in the same destination, providing social configurations and complex more-than-human assemblages with obvious implications in terms of biosecurity, among many others.

Mass tourism is undoubtedly a relevant phenomenon in the multiplicity of causes of the initial spread of the virus, despite it being portrayed in various discourses as (singularly) one of the main socio-economic “victims” of COVID-19. Prior to suffering the profound and serious impacts of the pandemic, it contributed decisively to this same pandemic. For the future, it is essential to avoid head-in-the-sand behaviour and keep this perspective in mind. If we limit ourselves to looking at COVID-19 as an exogenous manifestation, lingering on the outer limits of the tourist economy with its values and practices, we run a serious risk of perpetuating situations that lead to new epidemiological emergency scenarios and postponing impingent changes ( Sigala, 2020 ). Therefore, an effective (self)criticism of tourist activities is required to assess their social, environmental and biosafety impacts, while seeking to build tourism models that generate economy(ies) at the service of the common good, in which poverty, climate change, biosecurity and health and well-being constitute factors to be considered unconditionally as a priority. Only in this way will it truly be possible the alignment with the SDGs goals and, inherently, the sustainability of tourism itself. If it persists in clinging to the old obsessive spiral of unrelenting growth, tourism will hardly have a future.

A “totem” pole celebrating Ischgl as a multi-national space

Thousands of people at one of the usual concerts organised in the resort of Ischgl before the pandemic

The estimate of the number of people infected in Ischgl is based on data from the Consumer Protection Association (VSV), which is coordinating a class action lawsuit against the Austrian government for negligence in terms of public health responses to the COVID-19 outbreak. The signatures of more than 6,000 tourists from 47 countries who believe they have been infected with the virus in Ischgl have already been gathered ( The Guardian, 2020 ).

Dissemination of pathogens, disease vectors and animal and plant alien species.

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Further reading

Ischgl.com® ( 2018 ), “ Multitalented Artist Lenny Kravitz to rock out season finale in Ischgl ”, October 10, available at: https://www.ischgl.com/en/More/Service-area/Press/Press-releases/Multitalented-Artist-Lenny-Kravitz-to-rock-out-season-finale-in-Ischgl_ pt_281867

Spiegel International ( 2020 ), “ Chronicle of failure. A corona hotspot in the Alps spread virus across Europe ”, March 31, available at: https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ischgl-austria-a-corona-hotspot-in-the-alps-spread-virus-across-europe-a-32b17b7 6-14df-4f37-bfcf-39d2ceee92ec (by Jürgen Dahlkamp et al. ) .

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements: to the Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD-UTAD), an entity financed by Portuguese national funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., within the scope of the UIDB/04011/2020 project; and to the Centre for Research in Anthropology (CRIA-IUL), an interuniversity R&D unit funded by Portuguese national funds through FCT, under the UIDB/04038/2020 project.

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Introduction, prerequisites enabling current outbreak of social media-induced illness: msmi, affected teenagers of msmi present with functional tourette-like symptoms, msmi is initiated by ‘virtual’ index cases, justification of the concept of msmi, ‘tourette-like’ msmi episode represents a ‘modern’ form of motor variant of msi, the 21st century motor variant of msi is triggered by ‘eco-anxiety’ and the covid-19 pandemic, acknowledgements.

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Stop that! It’s not Tourette’s but a new type of mass sociogenic illness

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Kirsten R Müller-Vahl, Anna Pisarenko, Ewgeni Jakubovski, Carolin Fremer, Stop that! It’s not Tourette’s but a new type of mass sociogenic illness, Brain , Volume 145, Issue 2, February 2022, Pages 476–480, https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awab316

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We report the first outbreak of a new type of mass sociogenic illness that in contrast to all previously reported episodes is spread solely via social media. Accordingly, we suggest the more specific term ‘mass social media-induced illness’.

In Germany, the current outbreak of mass social media-induced illness is initiated by a ‘virtual’ index case, who is the second most successful YouTube creator in Germany and enjoys enormous popularity among young people. Affected teenagers present with similar or identical functional ‘Tourette-like’ behaviours, which can be clearly differentiated from tics in Tourette syndrome.

Functional ‘Tourette-like’ symptoms can be regarded as the ‘modern’ form of the well-known motor variant of mass sociogenic illness. Moreover, they can be viewed as the 21st century expression of a culture-bound stress reaction of our post-modern society emphasizing the uniqueness of individuals and valuing their alleged exceptionality, thus promoting attention-seeking behaviours and aggravating the permanent identity crisis of modern man. We wish to raise awareness of the current global Tourette-like mass social media-induced illness outbreak. A large number of young people across different countries are affected, with considerable impact on health care systems and society as a whole, since spread via social media is no longer restricted to specific locations such as local communities or school environments spread via social media is no longer restricted to specific locations such as schools or towns.

In several countries, currently we are facing a new type of mass sociogenic illness (MSI) (also known as ‘mass psychogenic illness’, MPI) that in contrast to all previously reported episodes of MSI is spread solely via social media and hence is not locally restricted. So far, no such social media-induced episodes have been described, although by 2012, it was speculated that MSI may not require in any case direct visual or verbal contact among the persons affected. 1 For this new type of MSI, we therefore suggest the more specific term ‘mass social media-induced illness’ (MSMI). Hereby, we want to raise awareness of its global occurrence, since only correct diagnosis enables appropriate treatment and termination of symptoms. 2 Moreover, MSI outbreaks are socially and economically costly, 3 independently of how they spread.

This study has been approved by the local ethics committee at Hanover Medical School, 15.04.2020, no. 8995_BO_S_2020.

Recently, in several countries including Germany, UK, 4 USA, 5 Denmark, France and Canada (personal communication), an increasing number of videos were released on social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Instagram showing people who claim to be suffering from Tourette syndrome—a childhood onset chronic combined motor and vocal tic disorder—while in fact most individuals had functional symptoms only resembling Tourette syndrome. On 21 February 2019—only shortly before the first patient with MSMI presented in our clinic in May 2019—the German YouTube channel Gewitter im Kopf (English, ‘thunderstorm in the brain’) was launched by a 22-year-old man called Jan Zimmermann. Judging from the videos, he indeed suffers from a mild form of Tourette syndrome. On this YouTube channel, however, he shows a countless number of movements, vocalizations, words, phrases and bizarre behaviours that he claims are tics, but are clearly functional in nature. Tourette experts can easily tell the difference, 6 , 7 since the majority of supposed ‘tics’ are complex and stereotyped and mimic those symptoms that lay-people typically associate with Tourette syndrome: coprolalia, copropraxia and non-obscene socially inappropriate behaviours (NOSI). For most of the shown symptoms, there are obviously strong situational contexts with exclamations of long sentences with insults, swear words and obscenities that are in this form unknown in Tourette syndrome. Furthermore, the number of symptoms and in particular the number of different swear words and insults presented are countless and thus far beyond those of tics in Tourette syndrome. Finally, presented symptoms quickly change on an almost weekly basis in parallel to newly released videos, while most popular symptoms are repeated several times.

Soon after it was started, the YouTube channel Gewitter im Kopf was rapidly spread on social media and reached 1 million subscribers in <3 months making Jan Zimmermann the top YouTube breakout creator in Germany in 2019. He earned further attention from the YouTube and Internet community by participating in other popular YouTube channels and TV shows, through posts of these shows on YouTube and reaction videos from the highest-earning influencers in Germany Unge and MontanaBlack and by receiving special TubeAwards. Today, Jan Zimmermann is the second most successful YouTube creator in Germany and enjoys enormous popularity among teenagers (status on 2 January 2022): Gewitter im Kopf is subscribed to by 2.20 million people and 336 videos have been released that were viewed 315 826 001 times in total. 8 Meanwhile, the channel is accompanied by a merchandising campaign and most popular exclamations are reproduced on products such as shirts and caps. 9 Finally, a mobile app has been released including the most popular supposedly ‘vocal tics’. 10 Already on 4 June 2019, the two most relevant German advocacy groups [Tourette Gesellschaft Deutschland (TGD e. V.) and InteressenVerband Tic & Tourette Syndrom (IVTS e. V.)] distanced themselves from the YouTube channel 11 and later on from the app, 12 because of their obvious misrepresentations and disrespect to people with Tourette syndrome.

Over the past 2 years, a remarkably high number of young patients have been referred to our specialized Tourette outpatient clinic presenting with symptoms closely resembling the ones Jan Zimmermann shows in his videos. All these patients had been prediagnosed with Tourette syndrome, even partly as treatment-resistant Tourette syndrome after having received pharmacotherapy with different drugs including antipsychotics. Remarkably, in none of these cases, neither the correct diagnosis of functional (Tourette-like) movement disorder (FMD) had been made, nor had the interrelation with and influence by social media been recognized.

Although a detailed description of clinical characteristics is beyond the scope of this paper and is currently in preparation for publication elsewhere, here we want to briefly summarize how in this group of patients diagnoses of Tourette-like FMD were confirmed. First, all patients presented with nearly identical movements and vocalizations that not only resemble Jan Zimmermann’s symptoms, but are in part exactly the same, such as shouting the German words Pommes (English: potatoes), Bombe (English: bomb), Heil Hitler , Du bist häßlich (English: you are ugly) and Fliegende Haie (English: flying sharks) as well as bizarre and complex behaviours such as throwing pens at school and dishes at home, and crushing eggs in the kitchen. Even more, similar to Jan Zimmermann, words and phrases are pronounced with a changed voice at low pitch so that family members are able to differentiate normal conversation from the supposed vocal tics solely on the basis of the tone of voice. Second, a substantial number of patients gave their supposed Tourette syndrome a name just as Jan Zimmermann does, who calls his symptoms ‘Gisela’. Third, patients often reported to be unable to perform unpleasant tasks because of their symptoms resulting in release from obligations at school and home, while symptoms temporarily completely disappear while conducting favourite activities. Fourth, in some patients, a rapid and complete remission occurred after exclusion of the diagnosis of Tourette syndrome.

Although some patients did indeed suffer in addition from mild Tourette syndrome, for all newly emerged symptoms, it could be clearly ruled out that they were tics for several reasons: (i) onset was abrupt instead of slow; (ii) symptoms constantly deteriorated instead of typical waxing and waning of tics; (iii) ‘simple’ movements (e.g. eye blinking) and noises (e.g. clearing one’s throat) were clearly in the background or completely absent, although being the most common and typical symptoms in Tourette syndrome; (iv) movements were mainly complex and stereotyped, and predominantly located in the arms and body instead of in the eyes and face; (v) overall, the number of different movements, noises and words was ‘countless’ and far beyond the typical number of tics in Tourette syndrome; and (vi) premonitory feelings were reported with atypical location, quality and duration compared to tics in Tourette syndrome. Thus, worsening of pre-existing Tourette syndrome, for example due to the COVID-19 pandemic as suggested elsewhere, 4 , 5 can be clearly ruled out in our patients.

In general, an index case is necessary for the initiation of an MSI outbreak. 3 , 13 In the current MSMI outbreak in Germany, Jan Zimmermann can be regarded as a ‘virtual’ index case. Meanwhile, more and more people with Tourette-like FMD—including some of our patients—appear on the German internet and TV. Thus, spread via social media seems to induce ‘secondary virtual’ index cases resulting in further spread without local restrictions. Because of the extremely high degree of recognition of these videos among young people, we assume that spread is also possible simply by verbal communication. Interestingly, at the same time in other countries, similar channels launched on YouTube and TikTok so these influencers may act as further ‘virtual’ index cases (personal communication). 4 , 5

Based on the already initiated exchange among international Tourette experts, it seems that patients identified in Germany exhibit some differences compared to cases seen in other countries such as Canada (personal communication). While it appears that age at onset is very similar in different countries with a preponderance of adolescents and young adults, gender distribution seems to be different: while half of our patients are male, the group of Davide Martino and Tamara Pringsheim at the University of Calgary in Canada reports a female to male ratio of about 9:1. This difference might be related to the different gender of most influential ‘virtual’ index cases in Germany compared to Canada. While we were able to clearly identify the German speaking man Jan Zimmermann as a ‘virtual’ index case, in contrast, in Canada, tic-like symptoms in young patients seem to be mainly triggered by the presentation of such behaviours by the English-speaking 20-year-old female Evie Meg or better known under her TikTok name ‘thistrippyhippie’.

In 2012, Bartholomew et al . 1 stated: ‘It is unclear if MPI could spread solely via social media among people with no other pre-existing connection’. Besides spread through personal sight and sound, for the current MSMI outbreak, all criteria for ‘classical’ MSI are fulfilled meaning ‘a constellation of symptoms suggestive of organic illness, but without an identifiable cause, that occurs between two or more people who share beliefs related to those symptoms’. 3 While our patients did not have direct personal contact with either Jan Zimmermann or among each other, they made indirect contact with Jan Zimmermann in the form of strong identification. Patients reported admiring Jan Zimmermann for his open approach to the supposed ‘Tourette syndrome’ and for being successful despite his condition, which causes strong emotions and hence further triggers contagion. 14 Thus, the current outbreak of ‘Tourette-like’ symptoms can be regarded as a new variant of MSI, where social media serve as an ‘extension of our eyes and ears’ 1 and replace the necessity of being in direct visual or verbal contact with others for spread. Besides general replacement of face-to-face communication by use of social media tools, 1 increased use of social media during COVID-19 related lockdown and quarantine might be a reinforcing factor. 15 , 16

We do not believe that our patients should be simply diagnosed as Tourette-like FMD instead of being affected persons of an MSMI outbreak, since the first patients presented in our clinic only 3 months after launch of the YouTube channel Gewitter im Kopf , and all patients confirmed having watched these videos before—or in some cases even during—manifestation of similar or identical symptoms. Furthermore, functional movements resembling tics have been described only rarely in a very limited number of case studies. 17-22 Accordingly, functional ‘tic-like’ movements have been classified as a relatively rare type of FMD that occurs in only about 5% 23 and primarily affects adults. 17 Interestingly, only recently, an increase in FMD during the COVID-19 pandemic has been reported from a US movement disorder centre with tremor being the most common presentation. 5 Similar to our cases, however, one teenager developed functional tics after watching another teenager on TikTok apparently presenting with ‘Tourette syndrome’.

MSI is differentiated in two variants: an ‘anxiety variant’ presenting with unspecific symptoms such as abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea and hyperventilation triggered by extreme, sudden stress within a close-knit group, and a ‘motor variant’ with hysterical dancing, convulsions, laughing and pseudoseizures. 24

While the ‘anxiety variant’ was believed to represent the ‘modern’ form of MSI in Western cultures that is typically triggered by environmental factors, with odour as the most common and typical predictor, 13 the ‘motor variant’ seemed to be a more primitive form that mainly occurred in the Middle Ages. 3 For example, in 1374 and again in 1518 bizarre outbreaks with exaggerated movements, known as dancing plagues, have been reported. 25 Interestingly, outbreaks of the ‘motor variant’ developed in relation to natural disasters and required a prolonged build-up of psychological tension associated with a mood of catastrophe and desperation in social groups united by some strong religious belief. 25 , 26 Furthermore, long-term anxiety, uncertainty and longstanding stress perceived not only as threatening but also as inescapable seem to play a major role. 3 , 27 In Malaysia in 1978, a motor variant MSI outbreak among college students was associated with higher education and intense competition for prestige and leadership, 28 while similar outbreaks in East Africa in 1962–63 were closely related to rapid socioeconomic changes. 29 Most of these outbreaks took weeks or months to subside. 1

Worth mentioning, in LeRoy, New York, in 2012, a ‘Tourette's epidemic’ occurred in a high school affecting 19 adolescents with sudden-onset ‘tic-like behaviour’. 30 , 31 Speculations about the cause of this ‘LeRoy outbreak’ as well as intensive media interest initially led to further increase before symptoms rapidly declined once the diagnosis of MSI was established. 32 , 33 Although schools are the most frequent settings for MSI outbreaks, 3 already at that time, influence by social media had been suggested 1 and the treating neurologist David Lichter commented: ‘This mimicry goes on with Facebook or YouTube exposure. This is the modern way that symptomology could be spread’. 34

About half of Generation Z feels stressed or anxious with climate change being the top concern. 35 Eco-anxiety is associated not only with fear, panic attacks, feelings of anger, guilt and helplessness, but also uncontrollability, unpredictability and uncertainty. 36 The COVID-19 pandemic may cause additional increase in anxiety and restrictions because of the lockdowns may result in increased stress due to home schooling, significant changes in families’ living together associated with increased rates of conflicts and domestic violence, lack of communication with friends, reduced or no contact to peer groups, and boredom. 15 , 16 Thus, this current outbreak of MSMI represents not only the ‘modern’ form of MSI motor variant, but can also be viewed as the 21st century expression of a ‘culture-bound stress reaction’ 37 of our post-modern society emphasizing the uniqueness of individuals and valuing their alleged exceptionality, 38 thus promoting attention-seeking behaviours, 39 and aggravating the permanent identity crisis of modern man. 40 It can be assumed this is triggered by eco-anxiety, the COVID-19 pandemic and further challenges in post-modern society. 35

Based on recent reports 4 , 5 and personal communication with experts in several countries, an enormous number of young people affected with ‘Tourette-like’ MSMI can be assumed to have considerable impact on health care systems and society as a whole, since spread via social media is no longer restricted to specific locations such as local communities or school environments. Fortunately, first international efforts are already underway to expand our knowledge of this phenomenon such as an experts’ survey initiated by the European Society for the Study of Tourette Syndrome (ESSTS) 41 and an informative website launched by Canadian experts at the University of Calgary. 42 Presumably, different initiatives from different parties in different countries are needed to stop current spread of functional Tourette-like behaviours. This may include experts’ interviews in different languages in the media, 43–46 education and training of physicians, psychologists and students of clinical characteristics of tics and Tourette syndrome compared to functional movement disorders, information via Tourette syndrome advocacy groups, possibly foundation of new advocacy groups specifically for patients with functional ‘Tourette-like’ behaviours and, finally, clear concepts to differentiate one from the other.

We thank Luise Laudenbach for her helpful comments and Martina Haas and Claudia Wegener for the fruitful discussion.

No funding was received towards this work.

Competing interests

K.M.V. has received financial or material research support from EU (FP7-HEALTH-2011 No. 278367, FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN No. 316978) DFG: GZ MU 1527/3–1 and GZ MU 1527/3–2, BMBF: 01KG1421, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Tourette Gesellschaft Deutschland e. V. Else-Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung, GW pharmaceuticals, Almirall Hermal GmbH, Abide Therapeutics and Therapix Biosiences. She has received consultant's honoraria from Abide Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Bionorica Ethics GmbH, CannaMedical Pharma GmbH, Canopy Growth, Columbia Care, CTC Communications Corp., Demecan, Eurox Deutschland GmbH, Global Praxis Group Limited, IMC Germany, Lundbeck, Sanity Group, Stadapharm GmbH, Synendos Therapeutics AG and Tilray. She is an advisory/scientific board member for CannaMedical Pharma GmbH, Bionorica Ethics GmbH, CannaXan GmbH, Canopy Growth, Columbia Care, IMC Germany, Leafly Deutschland GmbH, Sanity Group, Syqe Medical Ltd, Therapix Biosciences Ltd and Wayland Group. She has received speaker’s fees from Aphria Deutschland GmbH, Almirall, Cogitando GmbH, Emalex, Eurox Deutschland GmbH, Ever Pharma GmbH, Meinhardt Congress GmbH, PR Berater, Spectrum Therapeutics GmbH, Takeda GmbH, Tilray, Wayland Group. She has received royalties from Deutsches Ärzteblatt, Der Neurologie und Psychiater, Elsevier, Medizinisch Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Berlin and Kohlhammer. She served as a guest editor for Frontiers in Neurology on the research topic ‘The neurobiology and genetics of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome: new avenues through large-scale collaborative projects’, is an associate editor for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research , an Editorial Board Member of Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids and MDPI-Reports and a Scientific board member for Zeitschrift für Allgemeinmedizin . All other authors report no competing interests.

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Venice launches pilot day-tripper entry fee to tackle mass tourism

Under the gaze of the world’s media, the fragile lagoon city of Venice launches a pilot program Thursday to charge day-trippers a 5-euro (around $5.35) entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling residents.

Issued on: 25/04/2024 - 08:32 Modified: 25/04/2024 - 08:47

Signs advising arriving visitors of the new requirement for a test phase of 29 days through July have been erected outside the main train station and other points of arrival.

Some 200 stewards have been trained to politely walk anyone unaware of the fee through the process of downloading a QR code. A kiosk has been set up for those not equipped with a smartphone. Once past designated entry ports, officials will carry out random checks for QR codes that show the day-tripper tax has been paid or that the bearer is exempt.

Transgressors face fines 50 euros to 300 euros. The requirement applies only for people arriving between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside of those hours, access is free. 

“We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents,’’ said the city’s top tourism official, Simone Venturini. “We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.”

Venice has long suffered under the pressure of over-tourism, but officials say that pre-pandemic estimates ranging from 25 million to 30 million visitors a year — including day-trippers — are not reliable and that the pilot project also aims to come up with more exact figures to help better manage the phenomenon. 

By contrast, registered visitors spending the night last year numbered 4.6 million, according to city figures, down 16% from pre-pandemic highs.

Venturini said the city is strained when the number of day-trippers reaches 30,000 to 40,000. Its narrow alleyways are clogged with people and water taxis packed, making it difficult for residents to go about their business. 

Not all residents, however, are persuaded of the efficacy of the new system in dissuading mass tourism, and say more attention needs to be paid to boosting the resident population and services they need. 

Venice last year passed a telling milestone when the number of tourist beds exceeded for the first time the number of official residents, which is now below 50,000 in the historic center with its picturesque canals.

“Putting a ticket to enter a city will not decrease not even by one single unit the number of visitors that are coming,’’ said Tommaso Cacciari, an activist who organized a protest Thursday against the measure.

“You pay a ticket to take the metro, to go to a museum, an amusement park; you don’t pay a ticket to enter a city. This is the last symbolic step of a project of an idea of this municipal administration to kick residents out of Venice,” he said.

Venturini said about 6,000 people had already paid to download the QR code, and officials expect paid day-tripper arrivals Thursday to reach some 10,000. 

More than 70,000 others have downloaded a QR code denoting an exemption, including to work in Venice or as a resident of the Veneto region. People staying in hotels in Venice, including in mainland districts like Marghera or Mestre, should also get a QR code attesting to their stay, which includes a hotel tax.

The tourist official says interest in Venice's pilot program has been keen from other places suffering from mass tourism, including other Italian art cities and cities abroad such as Barcelona and Amsterdam.

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The tourist syndrome: an interview with Zygmunt Bauman

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Jackie Feldman

Zygmunt Bauman wrote that whereas the modern problem was to construct an identity and keep it stable, the postmodern one was to avoid fixation and keep all options open. He characterises this shift from solid modernity to liquid postmodernity as the movement 'from pilgrim to tourist': the pilgrim follows a lifelong path through the desert of life. Along the road, sacrifices are made, pleasures foregone, byways ignored, immediate rewards forsaken, to achieve one's ultimate goal. In liquid modernity, the pilgrim is replaced by the tourist, the systematic seeker of diversity, pleasure and novelty. I argue that Bauman's image of the 'plodding pilgrim' does violence to the multiplicity of pilgrim experiences. I show how historical pilgrimage has involved risk-taking and serendipity, a suspension of social ties and routines as well as a desire for transcendence. Contemporary pilgrimage often includes a desire for intimacy, intense bodily experience, changed attitudes towards time and nature and the quest for self-transformation. Pilgrimage may forge alternative bonds of community and provide new ways of imagining futures. The pilgrim, far from being an icon for a frozen past, is a figure that embodies many aspects of contemporary mobility and identity.

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Amsterdam’s Latest Effort to Fight Excessive Tourism: No New Hotels

The city wants no more than 20 million hotel stays annually. The measure is one of multiple efforts to control the flow of visitors.

By Claire Moses

Amsterdam has been searching for any way to rein in the number of tourists that visit the city every year.

In March of last year, the city launched an ad campaign specifically targeted at British men between 18 and 35, urging them to “stay away.”

In July, the Dutch capital announced it would bar cruise ships from docking in the city center .

The city has also long tried to control the crowds in its red-light district, where rowdy groups of tourists often cause disruptions to local residents. It has added stricter rules about smoking marijuana . It has banned new tourist shops. And still, the people keep coming.

Now, the city — which is as well known for its canals and 17th century art as for its legal sex industry and easy access to marijuana — has taken one more step to further restrict the explosive growth of tourists: It is banning hotels from being built.

“Amsterdam is saying ‘no’ to new hotels,” the City Council said in a statement. “We want to make and keep the city livable for residents and visitors,” it added.

Amsterdam, which added that it was seeking to keep hotel stays by tourists to under 20 million per year, saw its highest number of visitors before the pandemic in 2019, when there were 25.2 million hotel stays, according to the city’s data.

Last year, that number was exceeded by tourists staying over in Amsterdam, not including stays in short-term rentals like Airbnbs and cruise ships. And the measure also does not take into account daily visitors who do not stay the night.

The ban on new hotels, while sending a clear message about the city’s aim to reduce the number of visitors, is also largely symbolic. The city’s policy on hotel construction was already strict, and there had been only three proposals since 2017 that met Amsterdam’s requirements, according to the city. New hotels that had been approved or were in development — 26 in total — would be allowed to proceed for now.

Under the new rules, a new hotel can only open if another one closes. It also isn’t allowed to add more rooms than were available, according to the city.

“The effect won’t be very big,” said Ko Koens, a professor of new urban tourism at Inholland University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He also said that in the long run, the capping of hotels could make them more expensive to stay at.

While this ban alone would not make a huge dent in the number of visitors to the city, Mr. Koens said, taken together with other initiatives it could make Amsterdam a less appealing place to visit. But, he said, “For now, visitors don’t seem to mind.”

In total, Amsterdam has nearly 42,000 hotel rooms that can accommodate more than 92,000 people, according to Statistics Netherlands, a governmental institution that compiles data about the country. (In total, the Netherlands has more than 150,000 hotel rooms.)

Amsterdam’s initiatives to rein in tourism have been largely focused on its crowded city center. But as long as Amsterdam’s airport, Schiphol, continues to be a major European hub, it won’t be easy to keep visitors away from the city.

“There are no simple solutions,” Mr. Koens said. “It’s super complex.”

Amsterdam also announced this week it would start cutting the number of river cruises allowed to dock in its waters. In 2023, that number was 2,125. In 2028, the city wants it to be halved, with no more than 1,150. The city predicts that effort could reduce the number of visitors that come into town by 271,000. This proposal, the city said, is to improve the quality of life for residents and to reduce emissions and crowds.

“The balance in the city needs to improve,” Hester van Buren, a deputy mayor who focuses on the city’s port, said in a statement.

Amsterdam isn’t the only major European destination that has been struggling to get a grip on the growing number of tourists. Venice announced it would charge day-tripping visitors 5 euros ($5.33) to enter the iconic streets of its city center on weekends and some holidays from April 25 through mid-July, its busiest season.

Amsterdam, currently in a busy touristic time because of its famous blooming tulips, has not announced a similar measure, but it is likely there will be more efforts and experiments designed to limit visitors — like the hotel ban.

“Without such a stop, Amsterdam’s center would become one big hotel,” Mr. Koens said. “You don’t want that either.”

Claire Moses is a Times reporter in London, focused on coverage of breaking and trending news. More about Claire Moses

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Venice tests a 5-euro entry fee for day-trippers as the Italian city grapples with overtourism

Under the gaze of the world’s media, the fragile lagoon city of Venice launches a pilot program Thursday to charge day-trippers a 5-euro (around $5.35) entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more liveable for its dwindling residents. (AP Video by Paolo Santalucia)

Stewards check tourists QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy’s Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

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Tourists line up to enter at the at St.Mark bell tower in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

A steward shows the QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy’s Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Stewards check a tourist QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy’s Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Citizens and activists confront police during a demonstration against Venice Tax Fee in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy’s Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Tourists arrive outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Tourists enjoy a ride on gondolas in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Marco Bettini, director of Venis Informatics System, gestures as he talks to reporters at the police Venice control room, in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Workers prepare the tourist tax cashier desks outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Venice councillor Simone Venturini speaks with reporters in front of a tourist tax totem in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Tourists enjoy a sunny day at St.Mark square in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

A citizen shows a ticket with the writing ‘Veniceland’ during a protest against Venice Tax Fee in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy’s Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Citizens and activists stage a protest against Venice Tax Fee in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy’s Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Under the gaze of the world’s media, the fragile lagoon city of Venice launched a pilot program Thursday to charge day-trippers a 5-euro ($5.35) entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling residents.

Visitors arriving at Venice’s main train station were greeted with large signs listing the 29 dates through July of the plan’s test phase that also designated separate entrances for tourists, and residents, students and workers.

“We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents,’’ said Simone Venturini, the city’s top tourism official. “We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.”

Not all residents, however, are persuaded of the efficacy of the new system in dissuading mass tourism , insisting that only a resurgence in the population will restore balance to a city where narrow alleyways and water buses are often clogged with tourists.

Hundreds of Venetians protested against the program, marching festively though the city’s main bus terminal behind banners reading “No to Tickets, Yes to Services and Housing.” Protesters scuffled briefly with police with riot gear who blocked them from entering the city, before changing course and entering over another bridge escorted by plainclothes police officers. The demonstration wrapped up peacefully in a piazza.

Tourists arriving at the main station encountered almost as many journalists as stewards on hand to politely guide anyone unaware of the new requirements through the process of downloading the QR code to pay the fee.

Arianna Cecilia, a tourist from Rome visiting Venice for the first time, said she thought it was “strange” to have to pay to enter a city in her native country, and be funneled through separate entrance ways for tourists. She and her boyfriend were staying in nearby Treviso, and so downloaded the QR code as required. But she was still caught off-guard while soaking in her first view ever of Venice’s canals by the sight of the entrance signs and her boyfriend telling her to get out the ticket.

On the other side of the entrance ways, workers in yellow vests carried out random checks at the train station. Transgressors face fines of 50 to 300 euros ($53 to $320), but officials said “common sense” was being applied for the launch.

The requirement applies only for people arriving between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside of those hours, access is free and unchecked.

Tourists take pictures at the St. Mark square in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Venice has long suffered under the pressure of overtourism, and officials hope that the pilot project can help provide more exact figures to better manage the phenomenon.

The city can track the number of hotel visitors, which last year numbered 4.6 million and is down 16% from pre-pandemic highs. But the number of day visitors, which make up the majority of the crowds in Venice, could only be estimated until recently.

A Smart Control Room set up during the pandemic has been tracking arrivals from cellphone data, roughly confirming pre-pandemic estimates of 25 million to 30 million arrivals a year, said Michele Zuin, the city’s top economic official. That includes both day-trippers and overnight guests.

But Zuin said the data is incomplete.

“It’s clear we will get more reliable data from the contribution” being paid by day-trippers, he said.

Venturini said the city is strained when the number of day-trippers reaches 30,000 to 40,000. On peak days, local police set up one-way traffic for pedestrians to keep the crowds moving.

Residents opposing the day-tripper tax insist that the solution to Venice’s woes are to boost the resident population and the services they need, limiting short-term rentals to make available more housing and attract families back from the mainland.

Last year, Venice passed a telling milestone when the number of tourist beds exceeded for the first time the number of official residents, which is now below 50,000 in the historic center with its picturesque canals.

“Putting a ticket to enter a city will not decrease not even by one single unit the number of visitors that are coming,’’ said Tommaso Cacciari, an activist who organized a protest Thursday against the measure.

“You pay a ticket to take the metro, to go to a museum, an amusement park. You don’t pay a ticket to enter a city. This is the last symbolic step of a project of an idea of this municipal administration to kick residents out of Venice,” he said.

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro declared the launch day, coinciding with an Italian holiday, a success, registering 15,700 paying visitors, 50% more than anticipated.

More than 97,000 others had downloaded a QR code denoting an exemption, including to work in Venice or as a resident of the Veneto region. Hotels in Venice, including in mainland districts like Marghera or Mestre, provided a QR code for visitors to attest to their stay, which includes a hotel tax — accounting for 40,000 of those.

Venturini, the tourist official, said that interest in Venice’s pilot program has been keen from other places suffering from mass tourism, including other Italian art cities, and municipalities abroad such as Barcelona, Spain, and Amsterdam.

But Marina Rodino, who has lived in Venice for 30 years, doesn’t see the fee as the cure-all. Neighboring apartments in her residential building near the famed Rialto Bridge once inhabited by families are now short-term apartment rentals.

The corner butcher shop closed. Yet she noted that the new entrance fee requirement will still allow young people to flood the city in the evening for the traditional aperitivo, which can grow rowdy.

She was passing out mock European Union passports for “Venice, Open City,” underlining the irony of the new system, and challenging its legal standing with citations from the Italian Constitution guaranteeing its citizens the right to “move or reside freely in any part of the national territory.”

“This is not a natural oasis. This is not a museum. It is not Pompeii. It is a city, where we need to fight so the houses are inhabited by families, and stores reopen. That is what would counter this wild tourism,’’ Rodino said.