Overtourism? An analysis of the Cinque Terre area

The evolution of mass tourism has had a significant impact on society and the environment. In recent decades, with the growth of the global economy and the increase in the availability of affordable means of transport, more and more people can travel to faraway places and experience different cultures. The implications of mass tourism are numerous and complex. On the one hand, it has helped stimulate the economy of many tourist destinations, fostering job creation and infrastructure. Tourism has become a vital sector for many countries, representing an important source of revenue. On the other hand, mass tourism can lead to over-exploitation of the natural and cultural resources of destinations. The increase in the number of visitors can put a strain on the environment, causing problems such as pollution, soil erosion and excessive water consumption. In addition, the influx of tourists can lead to commercialisation and standardisation of destinations, with the homologation of tourist attractions and the loss of cultural authenticity. It can also have a negative social impact on local communities: increased tourism can lead to property speculation and rising house prices, making it difficult for residents to continue living in their communities. In addition, labour exploitation, discrimination and loss of local cultural traditions may occur. When mass tourism produces the negative impacts outlined above, we speak of 'overtourism', a phenomenon that occurs when a tourist destination is overloaded with visitors. This can happen when the number of tourists exceeds the capacity of a destination to handle the influx and local resources become insufficient to meet tourist demand. The aim of this work is an analysis of the available data on tourism flows in the Ligurian municipalities of the Cinque Terre to identify the impacts of tourism and the method necessary to understand if, when and where there are situations of overtourism. The study also includes an examination of national and international cases of overtourism. This is done to identify possible solutions to maintain or restore tourist flows in the Cinque Terre to sustainable levels from an economic, social and environmental point of view. This work consists of four chapters. The first section, after introducing the concept of 'overtourism' and its causes through a review of the academic literature, conducts a benchmarking analysis of the most important national and international case studies to identify common criticalities and mitigation policies adopted in the various contexts. The second chapter reports the main critical issues related to this phenomenon identified in the context of the Cinque Terre, setting out the seasonal phases and areas most exposed to the negative impacts of tourism. The third chapter reports the analysis of the data on tourism flows validated and/or supplied by the commissioner, an indispensable process for identifying a range of possible solutions to be put before the competent institutions (fourth section). This research work, concluded in May 2024, was made possible by the co-financing of the National Confederation of Crafts and Small and Medium Enterprises (CNA) of Liguria. The present authors would like to express their gratitude for the support provided that made the research possible.