L'overtourism tra passato e futuro. Note introduttive

This introductory chapter traces the emergence of overtourism as a concept that has rapidly entered public debate and academic discourse. Originating as a bottom-up response to perceived crises in heavily visited destinations, overtourism denotes conditions in which excessive tourist pressure generates social, cultural, and environmental strain. The chapter situates the phenomenon within a longer historical trajectory, from early critiques of tourism’s externalities in the 1970s to contemporary dynamics driven by global mobility, digital platforms, and UNESCO-related visibility. It highlights structural drivers—fragmented governance, promotion-centred policies, regulatory gaps, and conflicting stakeholder interests—alongside the diverse mitigation strategies tested internationally.