The phenomenon of “overtourism” in Europe, including Italy and Spain, is spreading to Asia.CNN repor..

Residents’ inconvenience and environmental damage such as Kyoto, Bali, and Boracay\n Experts say, “Tourist punishment is limited…Sustainable management required”

사진 확대 Foreign tourists walking on the streets of Kyoto, Japan [EPA Yonhap News]

The phenomenon of “overtourism” in Europe, including Italy and Spain, is spreading to Asia.

CNN reported on the 1st (local time) that “the inconvenience of local residents and damage to tourist destinations are intensifying in major Asian cities due to the surge in tourists.”

Overtourism refers to a phenomenon in which the quality of life in the local community decreases and tourist attractions are damaged as tourists flock.

According to the Asia-Pacific Tourism Association (PATA), the number of tourists in Northeast Asia, including Japan and Korea, increased by 20% in the first half of this year compared to the previous year.

Southeast Asia is also experiencing a similar trend, with the number of foreign tourists in Vietnam increasing by 21%.

Kyoto, Japan, suffers the most severe damage. Kyoto, which was visited by 56 million people last year, has difficulty commuting to and from work due to the congestion caused by tourists.

In a Yomiuri Shimbun survey, 90% of Kyoto citizens expressed dissatisfaction with overtourism. In particular, many pointed out the rude behavior of foreign tourists in temples and shrines.

In response, Kyoto City is considering a plan to ban unauthorized filming in Gion area, a popular tourist destination, and to raise the upper limit of hotel and inn accommodation tax from 1,000 yen to 10,000 yen (about 93,000 won).

Yusuke Ishiguro, a professor at Hokkaido University, explained, “If the number of foreigners increases to one-third of the population, Japanese society feels an imbalance.”

In Bali, Indonesia, foreign tourists’ deviations, such as taking exposure photos in temples and violating motorcycle safety rules, are controversial.

Thailand has seen a decrease in foreign tourists by about 6%, but famous tourist destinations such as Phuket still face traffic jams and water shortages despite a decrease in tourists.

Local authorities have come up with measures to solve this problem. The Philippines closed Boracay Island for six months in 2018 to restore the environment, then restricted the number of tourists and banned unauthorized accommodation after reopening. However, it is reported that there are still many cases of violating regulations.

Travel expert Gary Bowerman pointed out, “Punishing tourists damages the national image, so it is difficult to implement the law.”