Tourism sectors in Upper Bavaria and South Tyrol address digital growth and overtourism

In Germany, Annegret Lange of the Kommunalunternehmen Strukturentwicklung Landkreis Pfaffenhofen a. d. Ilm (KUS) has completed the ‘eCoach Expert’ training for digital tourism. Part of the ‘Oberbayern Echt Digital’ project by Tourismus Oberbayern München e. V., the initiative aims to improve the digital presence, social media, and online visibility of regional tourism providers in Upper Bavaria through specialized coaching.

In South Tyrol, four separate institutions—the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Brixen, the Heimatpflegeverband, the KV, and the Toblacher Gespräche—have launched a coordinated effort to address the issue of overtourism. The group intends to debate the long-term sustainability of tourism in the region, which contributes approximately 11% to South Tyrol's value creation. Discussions will focus on the ethical and ecological responsibilities of the industry, addressing pressures on housing, real estate prices, mobility, and the environment caused by significant growth in overnight stays since 1990.