With the steady growth of global tourism, many European cities are faced with the challenge of managing the influx of tourists. Popular destinations such as Dubrovnik, Venice or Florence attract millions of visitors every year, leading to infrastructure overload and significant burdens on the local population.
In Venice, Florence and Amsterdam, measures have already been taken to mitigate the negative impacts of mass tourism. In addition to introducing tourist taxes, cities have also launched promotional campaigns aimed at guiding the behaviour of visitors and encouraging them to explore less frequented parts of the cities. These measures are intended to reduce the pressure on the main tourist attractions and promote more sustainable tourism development.
A recent study by the company Holidu, based on data from the market research company Euromonitor International, has identified the cities with the highest number of tourists per capita. In this study, the number of incoming tourists was compared with the number of inhabitants of the city. The results clearly show which places are particularly suffering under the burden of mass tourism and where it might be more difficult for travelers to enjoy a relaxing summer holiday.
In addition to the cities already mentioned, the top spots on this list include other well-known tourist destinations such as Dubrovnik, Athens and Paris. These cities have an extremely high tourist-to-local ratio, which often leads to overcrowded attractions, long queues and a loss of the original authenticity that attracts many visitors.
The Austrian capital Vienna ranks 22nd on the list with 4 tourists per inhabitant. For travelers who want to enjoy a relaxed summer vacation without encountering the crowds, it is worth considering less frequented destinations. Cities such as Helsinki, Ljubljana or Tallinn also offer cultural highlights and historical sights, but without the negative side effects of mass tourism. These cities have managed to maintain a balance between tourist appeal and quality of life for the locals.
The challenges of mass tourism are complex and require well-thought-out, long-term strategies. Barcelona, Venice, Florence and Amsterdam are already taking initial steps to better manage tourist flows and protect the quality of life of residents. It is to be hoped that these measures will be successful and serve as a model for other cities that are also under pressure from tourism.