Chapter 1: The Paradigm Shift in Tourism: From Over-tourism to Regenerative Travel

Tourism has long been recognized as one of the most influential and rapidly expanding industries worldwide, contributing significantly to economic growth, cultural exchange, and global connectivity. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates that tourism accounts for approximately 10% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), supporting millions of jobs worldwide. This sector is crucial for many economies, particularly in the developing world, where tourism acts as a key source of foreign exchange, employment, and infrastructure development. Tourism fosters global connectivity, allowing people from different cultures and regions to interact, share experiences, and broaden their worldviews. It also serves as a major vehicle for cultural exchange, with travelers often learning from the societies they visit, while offering a platform for local communities to share their traditions, heritage, and ways of life with the world (Higgins-Desbiolles, 2020). However, despite the considerable economic and cultural benefits of tourism, the rapid increase in tourist numbers in the last few decades has also resulted in severe environmental degradation, social inequality, and the erosion of cultural identity in many regions. This phenomenon, widely referred to as “over-tourism,” is becoming an increasingly pressing issue as popular destinations are overwhelmed by tourists, leading to significant strain on local infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities. Over-tourism is characterized by the concentration of large numbers of tourists in specific locations, often causing congestion, environmental degradation, and a reduction in the quality of life for local residents. Destinations such as Venice, Barcelona, Bali, and others have become emblematic of the challenges associated with over-tourism, where the very elements that made these places attractive – natural beauty, local culture, and historical significance – are now at risk due to excessive visitation.