Overtourism: the challenge of mass tourism and the words of Prof. Maggioli
What is overtourism and what is its impact on the cultural heritage of so many Italian and European cities? Read the words of Prof. Marco Maggioli, interviewed on the topic by Wired.
The phenomenon of overtourism, or the negative impact of mass tourism on popular destinations, is raising concerns in many Italian and European cities. Professor Marco Maggioli, Professor of Cultural Geography and Geography for sustainable tourism development in IULM, interviewed by Wired, delved into the issue, highlighting the damage that uncontrolled tourism can do to cultural heritage and local quality of life.
According to Maggioli, it is essential to adopt sustainable strategies that protect territories without sacrificing the economic benefits of tourism. "Cultural degradation and overtourism often go hand in hand," he says, highlighting issues such as soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and housing price inflation, especially in large cities such as Milan, Rome and Bologna, where short tourist rentals contribute to the desertification of historic centers. This overcrowding, in addition to harming residents, affects students who find themselves having to pay higher and higher rents.
Maggioli calls out the need to invest in education and training to educate both tourists and residents in awareness and respect for the area. "Each territory has its own specificity and fragilities that must be safeguarded," Maggioli continues, criticizing the tendency to focus mainly on infrastructure rather than on protection policies. More careful regulation of temporary housing for tourist use is needed.
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