overtourism
/ˌoʊvərˈtʊərɪzəm/
Definition
A state where the volume of tourists in a destination exceeds its capacity, leading to negative impacts on local infrastructure and quality of life.
Etymology
The word is a modern compound formed by combining the prefix 'over-' (meaning excessive) with 'tourism' (the business of travel). It gained significant popularity in the 2010s to describe the socioeconomic challenges faced by popular global destinations.
In the news
In this article, the term is used in a headline regarding Japan tripling its departure tax to manage and mitigate the strain caused by excessive visitor numbers. It highlights the government's policy response to the pressures of high tourism volume.
Venezuelans frustrated by quake response want new presidential elections
Read the full article ↗The Japan Times