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Overtourism perception among residents in a rural proximity destination during the COVID-19-pandemic – The writing on the wall for a sustainability transition of tourism?

Author

Listed:
  • Steber Felicitas

    (Universität Innsbruck Institut für Strategisches Management, Marketing und Tourismus, KMU und Tourismus Universitätsstraße 15 6020 Innsbruck Österreich)

  • Mayer Marius

    (39007 Hochschule München Hochschule München Fakultät für Tourismus Schachenmeierstraße 35 80636 München Deutschland)

Abstract

This contribution investigates overtourism perceptions among residents in a rural German destination during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a qualitative approach, it examines the impact of these perceptions on residents’ quality of life and subjective well-being in the Allgäu. As international travel declined due to pandemic-induced travel restrictions, domestic tourism surged, potentially foreshadowing effects of a net-zero transformation in global tourism on rural proximity destinations. Semi-structured interviews with 12 residents reveal that most respondents perceived tourism levels as excessive, negatively impacting their subjective well-being. Changed spatio-temporal visitor behavior patterns, with tourists venturing into previously less frequented areas, often felt intrusive to locals. This shift in tourism dynamics from urban hotspots to rural destinations challenges the notion that overtourism disappeared during the pandemic. Notably, the contribution introduces subjective well-being as a reliable indicator for overtourism and explores a novel notion of overtourism resulting from the interrelationship between perception, subjective well-being, and attitudes. The findings suggest that increased proximity tourism, while reducing carbon footprints, may lead to perceived overtourism and declining tourism acceptance in substitute destinations. The study underscores the necessity for participatory destination management approaches that balance sustainability goals with resident well-being to facilitate a broader sustainability transition in tourism.

Suggested Citation

  • Steber Felicitas & Mayer Marius, 2024. "Overtourism perception among residents in a rural proximity destination during the COVID-19-pandemic – The writing on the wall for a sustainability transition of tourism?," Zeitschrift für Tourismuswissenschaft, De Gruyter, vol. 16(3), pages 228-260.
  • Handle: RePEc:bpj:touwis:v:16:y:2024:i:3:p:228-260:n:1003
    DOI: 10.1515/tw-2024-0015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Uysal, Muzaffer & Sirgy, M. Joseph & Woo, Eunju & Kim, Hyelin (Lina), 2016. "Quality of life (QOL) and well-being research in tourism," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 244-261.
    2. Mayer, Marius & Bichler, Bernhard Fabian & Pikkemaat, Birgit & Peters, Mike, 2021. "Media discourses about a superspreader destination: How mismanagement of Covid-19 triggers debates about sustainability and geopolitics," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
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