France announces Plan to tackle 'overtourism'
The French government has announced a plan this week to address the issue of overcrowding by tourists and is now urging visitors to stay away from its major landmarks due to the negative impact on tourist sites and local communities.
According to Courier, the Plan to tackle 'overtourism' includes resource sharing through a digital platform and the establishment of a national observatory as part of its measures.
The threat to the preservation of attractions, the impact on the quality of life for residents, such as rising property prices, and the disruption to the visitor experience are some of the most prominent negative consequences of what can now be termed as 'overtourism', a phenomenon that particularly affects France, a leading global destination where 80% of tourist activity is concentrated in 20% of the territory.
After decades of welcoming an influx of travelers to the country, France has declared its intention to implement a strategy to reduce the number of visitors.
Despite being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, if not the most popular, France may soon see a change in that status.
France's Minister of Tourism, Olivia Gregoire, stated that this policy is a response to the threats posed to the "environment, quality of life for local residents, and the experience of visitors."
Some popular sites in France have already begun implementing measures to reduce visitor numbers. The Calanques National Park in Marseille has a reservation system that limits access to the famous coves of Sugiton to 400 visitors per day.
For example, the island of Brittany in Brittany has started limiting the daily number of visitors to 4,700. These popular attractions are not necessarily attempting to decrease the overall number of visitors but rather to distribute them more evenly throughout the year.
Visitor quotas, initially introduced during the pandemic, will remain in effect for at least five years.
The issue lies in the fact that tourist sites are overrun by visitors who do not actually spend much time or money on them, leaving local communities struggling to sustain themselves.
It is clear why France is taking measures to manage visitor numbers, as the well-being of local residents and the preservation of the environment should take precedence. If they cannot thrive, there will ultimately be nothing left to visit.
France is not the only country grappling with overtourism. Similar restrictions are being implemented worldwide, from Amsterdam and Florence to Bali.
Overtourism has arguably become an even bigger issue following the pandemic.