economy
May 3, 2026
Overtourism: Too much of a good thing?
Tourism represents 10% of the global economy. But many travel destinations (and the people who live there) are reeling from increasing numbers of tourists, spurred in large part by social media. Correspondent Seth Doane travels to Amsterdam, Paris, Venice and Portofino to look at the impacts that tourism is having on cities, resorts and natural attractions, and why some people are resisting visitors – or redefining tourism – in some of the world's most popular and fragile destinations.
TL;DR
- Tourism constitutes 10% of the global economy.
- Increasing tourist numbers, fueled by social media, are negatively impacting destinations.
- The report investigates the effects on cities, resorts, and natural attractions.
- Some locations are seeing resistance from residents or efforts to redefine tourism.
- Examples include Amsterdam, Paris, Venice, and Portofino.