overtourism

American  

[oh-ver-toor-iz-uhm] / ˌoʊ vərˈtʊər ɪz əm /

noun

1. a situation in which too many tourists travel to a popular destination, causing the place to suffer negative environmental, economic, and sociocultural impacts.

   From packed viewpoints to water shortages, Santorini is the most visible face of overtourism in the Greek islands.

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Etymology

Origin of overtourism

First recorded in 1990–95; over- ( def. ) + tourism ( def. )

Example Sentences

But today, the most visited tourist attraction in Spain has become a symbol of Europe’s overtourism problem.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

However, a record 36.8 million arrivals from across the globe last year has also led to fears of overtourism affecting the daily lives of many in Japan.

From Barron's • Nov. 22, 2025

Getting past the fear means travel that is not merely transactional or feeding into overtourism.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2025

The influx of visitors to countries such as Spain and Greece have also fuelled heated protests against overtourism.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2025

This week, John Dickerson returns and joins Emily Bazelon and David Plotz to discuss the Democratic National Convention; presidential polls; and overtourism.

From Slate • Aug. 22, 2024