Sustainable Tourism: South Tyrol's Plan to Combat Overcrowding and Overtourism
Sustainable Tourism: South Tyrol's Plan to Combat Overcrowding and Overtourism
The province of South Tyrol, located in the Northern Italian Alps, has recently taken decisions to limit access to its popular tourist spots due to overcrowding and overtourism. This includes reserving Wildsee lake for visitors who register in advance, and restricting access to the Alpe di Siusi by closing off a road leading up to the plateau between 9AM-5PM.
The aim is to ensure that everyone can enjoy these beautiful places without having them overused or overrun with tourists.South Tyrol is not alone in facing this problem - overtourism is an issue across many parts of Europe, especially those with stunning natural beauty and attractions. Many locals are finding it difficult to find housing as accommodations have increasingly been converted to tourist lodgings, and rental costs have skyrocketed as a result.
The aim of the Program for the Development of Tourism Beyond 2030 in South Tyrol is to ensure that there is sustainable tourism in the region. To achieve this, they are introducing a reservation system for popular spots, limiting access to these places and returning any 'beds' freed up from businesses closing back to their local authority. They are also introducing a ‘green star’ rating system that rewards hotels working sustainably.
It is encouraging that South Tyrol has taken measures to combat overtourism and protect its stunning natural environment and attractions. The move towards more sustainable tourism can be seen as an example for other regions across Europe facing similar issues, and it is hoped that in the future other regions will learn from South Tyrol's example. It also serves as a reminder for tourists to be aware of how their actions can affect local communities and to respect places that they visit.
Ultimately, sustainable tourism should benefit both locals and tourists - it will ensure that an area remains beautiful for years to come and can provide economic benefits for local communities. With careful planning, we can make sure that everyone gets the opportunity to experience the beauty of South Tyrol while preserving it at the same time.
