Overtourism: the danger of a phenomenon limited in time and space

Strategic lines for the 2030 agendaactions shared at national level, policies on sustainability and energy transition, preservation of the territory, challenge to the phenomenon ofovertourism. But also responsibility, awareness, studies and possible solutions. These are the issues he has put the spotlight on “Overtourism? Reflections for the protection of national heritage and sustainable tourism. The case of the Cinque Terre Park”a meeting organized by Cinque Terre National Parkin collaboration with Representation in Italy of the European Commission and the European Parliament. Starting from the experience gained, from the actions already undertaken and from the study on the topic commissioned byPark Authority, the event was an opportunity to reflect on the coordinated management of natural and cultural heritage, as well as the valorization of more responsible experiences that pay attention to the specificities of valuable places worthy of protection. Tourist overcrowding is today a significant challenge for many destinations in our country. Let’s think about iconic cities like Rome, Venice And Florencebut also areas of naturalistic interest such as Cinque Terre National Parkor the Amalfi Coastwho find themselves managing excessive flows of tourists, with consequent problems related to environmental impacts, lowering the quality of the visit experience and liveability for local communities.

Since there, as elsewhere, tourist flows must be a driver of socioeconomic growth and well-being for communities, how can we direct this phenomenon without it representing a brake? Bodies, institutions, political decision-makers, operators, municipalities and regions are moving to study formulas that best manage attendance, regulate access and promoteoff-season, scheduling reservations and raising visitor awareness of the importance of informed and sustainable tourism. This is the case of the Cinque Terre Park, which with the collaboration of the study drawn up by Mic Hub, an international company made up of engineers, architects, designers and consultants, has undertaken solutions that safeguard its fragile vertical territories. “Mass tourism is a global phenomenon, but one that is often abused, especially in local contexts – states the president of the Cinque Terre National Park Donatella Bianchi – here overcrowding is limited in time and space due to its morphology”. Most tourists are concentrated in just 3% of its entire surface area and only in certain periods of the year, such as summer. “Coordinated management of natural, social and cultural heritage is necessary, with particular attention to the protection of fragile territories. – he adds – A management that is only possible through an alliance at a national level that shares results and objectives with a view to environmental, social and economic sustainability”.

There were three working tables during which experiences and comments were interspersed: the first included theAgenda 2030 and the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism. The second was aimed at the Climate Change Adaptation Plan of the Cinque Terre Park, which takes into account both the protection of biodiversity and traditional agricultural activities as risk mitigation factors. Particular attention was then paid to the project Stonewallsforlifeof which thePark Authority is the leader and an interactive exhibition was presented as a corollary to the event. The objective is to promote in Cinque Terre Park the recovery and maintenance of approximately five hectares of dry stone walls to increase the resilience of the slopes to climate change and protect the population from the risks deriving from landslides and floods. “It is the first time that a National Park, within its role of protecting nature and biodiversity, deals with the consequences of climate change. This is an extremely innovative project, which will pave the way for the park system and will represent a model to refer to at a national and international level” added Bianchi. The third round table, as well as the center of debate of the event, was dedicated to the management of flows and solutions in the field for the phenomenon overtourism. Paolo Cognettiafter the success of his novel “The Eight Mountains”, led the audience to reflect on the presence of tourists in every corner of the planet and on the destination as a metaphor for travel and life.