The Dichotomy of Overtourism: How Did Venice Become Venice?

Abstract

The over-visitation of one of Europe’s largest tourism hubs is becoming a thorny problem for residents, combined with the dichotomy of tourism growth. In this regard, this study aims to examine the phenomenon of overtourism, as a productive machine that consumes its own resources by unfolding its roots and impacts in terms of economic, environmental, and social. So, Butler’s Tourism Area Life Cycle Model and the destination carrying capacity are addressed to enlighten the economics of overtourism. The second part focuses on the case of Venice and its tourism economic history, explaining how it exceeded its capacity. Along with these, the counterproductive deseasonalization policies, the tourism change over time, and their outcomes are discussed.