Zakynthos: Europe's party island in overtourism coller!

Zakynthos: Europe's party island in overtourism coller!

In the 2023 holiday season, overtourism is more in the foreground than ever. Some European travel destinations, such as the Greek island of Zakynthos, also experience acute problems, also known as Zante. According to the consumer platform "which? Travel", Zakynthos has reached the so -called "capital of overtourism" with almost 150 nights per inhabitant. With a population of around 40,000 inhabitants, this means that around six million overnight guests visit the island annually, which significantly stresses the local infrastructure. The south coast of Zakynthos is particularly affected and attracts many party vacationers, like Remszeitung.de reported.

The study by which? confirms that not only Zakynthos is affected by mass tourism. The Croatian region of Istria also has 133 nights per inhabitant, while Mallorca has a total number of 54 overnight stays per inhabitant with over 51 million overnight stays for 2023. These figures make it clear that overtourism in popular holiday destinations in Europe is a widespread problem that affects the quality of life of the locals and affects the tourist infrastructure.

overcrowded travel destinations and alternatives

The increasing number of overnight stays have led to more and more travel destinations take measures to combat overtourism. Popular destinations are increasingly introducing tourist taxes and controls for short -term rentals. This happens to regulate the rush to the cities and holiday resorts. For example, the Málaga region recorded 17,493 overnight stays per square kilometer in Spain, while Alicante is also heavily frequented with 5,501 nights. In contrast to this, the Murcia region is the least visited coastal region of Spain with only 486 nights per square kilometer, which makes you a potential goal for travelers who want to avoid overcrowded places, how? indicated.

For those who are looking for a less crowded but still attractive alternative, Folegandros is recommended in Greece. With around 1,000 locals, the island offers a picturesque backdrop of white houses and cliffs. Another goal away from the tourist masses is Milos, known for its extraordinary beach Sarakiniko, which offers a unique landscape of white volcanic stone and clear water. Paros, with its charming place Naoussa, combines lively island life with a calm nature and is ideal for relaxed holidaymakers.

The effects of overtourism

The effects of overtourism are not only limited to tourists, but also influence the quality of life of the locals. Studies show that the pressure on local communities increases, which is reinforced by an imbalance between the number of tourists and the capacity of the infrastructure. Research shows that large number of overnight stays can change the cityscape and affect local culture, while at the same time the living space for the local population is increasingly under pressure, as in the analysis of What.co.co.uk In summary, it can be said that overtourism is a persistent and growing problem in numerous European destination locations, which should be addressed with targeted planning and the offer of less visited alternatives. It increasingly support initiatives that promote the balance between tourism and quality of life of the residents in order to ensure the long -term success of the travel destinations and to ensure sustainable tourism development.