If 11 European cities cap visitor numbers, they’ll lose $245bn over three years, according to a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council. As tourism enters peak season, WTTC has launched a new report on the ever-growing issue of destination overcrowding.
The report, Managing Destination Overcrowding: A Call to Action, explains the importance of the tourism and travel industry. It states that the sector supports one in every 10 jobs and nearly 10% of global GDP. Over the next decade, WTTC forecasts that the sector is set to support one in three newly created jobs.
In 2024, travel & tourism reportedly contributed nearly $11tn to the global economy and support 357m jobs. The report looks at some of the root causes of overcrowding in a small number of increasingly popular destinations across Europe (such as Venice, Amsterdam and Paris) and offers real-world solutions.
The report finds that if 11 major European cities capped visitor numbers, it could cost $245bn in lost GDP and almost 3m jobs over three years. As such, the report states that there is no one-size-fits-all solution – no “simple fix”.
WTTC lists six actions destinations should take to tackle overtourism. Most notably, it calls for a cross-party approach involving governments, local leaders and businesses. The paper encourages leaders to think beyond short-term plasters and focus on reinvesting tourism income into critical infrastructure improvements, local services and resident wellbeing.
Among the most salient of the report’s points is the call for more data. WTTC claims that a “lack of data” is “exacerbating issues”. According to the tourism body, each destination faces a different problem set, and an evidence-backed approach is the best way to understand those different challenges and decide what should be done.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Travel & Tourism brings huge benefits including jobs, investment, and deeper cultural understanding. But growth needs to be managed carefully. “We’re encouraging all decision-makers to think ahead, work together, and focus on long-term benefits for residents and visitors alike. This isn’t about stopping tourism, it’s about making it work for everyone.”
