Tourism is one of the world's largest economic sectors, and accounts for roughly 10% of the global GDP. As international travel continues to grow at a rapid rate, it creates what is known as “Overtourism.” The number of visitors to a destination becomes unsustainable; there is damage to architecture, local residents are displaced, and communities are exploited. The pressure mass tourism exudes threatens the very sights and experiences that tourists seek. Local residents suffer the most, often facing rising rent prices, the overcrowding of public spaces, and a loss of culture as cities start to lean into gentrification and economies become reliant on tourism for their economies. In these “Tourist hot-spots,” the environment is prone to suffering as well, facing issues like waste management crisis, water scarcity, and the destruction of fragile ecosystems. 

 

Delegates will have to navigate the complex interests of countries, taking into consideration economies that might be tourist-dependent; some developing nations rely heavily on the money tourists bring for their survival. Additionally, private sectors such as airlines, hotel chains, and booking platforms focus on the expansion of these markets. 

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The cities of Barcelona and Kyoto are seeking congressional ways to limit day-trippers, and they will most likely not be the last. The goal isn’t to seek an end to tourism, but to transform it into a sustainable system, in which the presence of travelers is beneficial to the lives of those living within the destinations rather than detrimental.