Global Tourism Surge Fuels Overtourism Crisis

International travel has rebounded strongly, with the World Tourism Organization reporting a 12 % year‑on‑year increase in the first half of 2026 and 1.2 billion international tourists between January and May. The surge has pushed popular destinations such as Venice, Barcelona, Bangkok, Lisbon, Amsterdam and Kyoto to the brink of capacity, prompting daily visitor limits, urban tolls and protests by residents over overcrowding and rising living costs.

The growth has also intensified environmental concerns: tourism now accounts for a sizeable share of global greenhouse‑gas emissions, with aviation remaining the main source. While demand for low‑carbon flights has risen 40 % compared with 2025, airlines warn that green‑fuel supplies are insufficient to meet the market. At the same time, travelers are increasingly using AI to plan trips and seeking regenerative experiences like ecolodges, wildlife safaris and volunteer tourism, driving waiting lists for sustainable operators. Cruise tourism is splitting between large ships facing bans in ports such as Marseille and smaller expedition vessels that are multiplying in polar regions. Governments, hotel chains and local communities are scrambling to balance economic benefits with the need to protect heritage, ecosystems and residents’ quality of life.