In our work with up-and-coming destinations, we often attempt to encourage an awareness of the potential of "over-tourism." Being on the DMO Board for an ascendant destination, most in the room scoff at the notion. There's lots of time to think about that, they say.
Not really. Success in destination market carries with it the seeds of its own destruction. There is an "invisible burden," according to a new report commissioned by The Travel Foundation. And, we're seeing it take root even in communities that aren't bursting at the seams with hoards of tourists.
Consider the growing number of communities in which the City is now refusing to pay for festival and event security. Or, the impact that Airbnb rentals are having in urban neighborhoods that don't have enough parking spaces for residents, let alone overnight guests.
The Visitor economy is vital to quality of life, economic development and long-term sustainability. But...we cannot ignore the "invisible burden."
The study is worth your read.
As a former DMO Exec, I can tell you that in my time in Steamboat Springs there was downright hostility towards Triple Crown Sports, who play youth baseball tournaments in the summer. And, they are based in Fort Collins directly to the west. Angry residents at City Council meetings decrying the kids playing in swimming pools in apartment complexes at night. Cries to defund the Chamber's marketing budget (to you city folks, in resorts the tourism, Ec. Dev. and Chamber functions are usually combined). Heavier weekend traffic, and some on the weekdays which might add 5 minutes to a commute were frequent commments to the newspaper.
When I taught tourism classes at Colorado State before that, lots of talk with the department and in many textbooks and studies about the negative impacts of tourism. If you're going to study something, you have to take the good with the bad.
The Colorado economy is good. Very good. I'm now in the residential real estate world, and I can testify to that. More Denver/Front Range residents are hitting the mountains for recreation as the millennial population swells, and it's an issue.
It seems to be no issue in Denver, where the City and Visit Denver have done just about everything right to bring large conventions to town. But in the resorts, it's a different story. I'm sure this rings true in many parts of the world right now.
People hate 'em when they're here, but when the economy tanks, they're welcomed back. Unfortunately you can't have it both ways.
Retired from tourism and running a real estate investment trade group (and an investor myself) I'm a meeting planner now, so be nice. Best to all my old tourism buddies...
Posted by: Jim Clark | April 03, 2019 at 17:18
Thanks for checking in, my friend. And, glad to hear there's life after Tourism. Your example reminds us that it's not just international destinations that are facing the backlash of "over-tourism."
Posted by: Bill Geist | April 03, 2019 at 18:58