① Problems Caused by Overtourism
Overtourism refers to the phenomenon where an excessive number of tourists cause inconvenience to both locals and visitors alike. After the pandemic, many tourists have flocked to Europe, causing many European destinations to experience overtourism. In Europe, various measures are being introduced to prevent tourists. They collect tourist taxes, create regulations, and even impose fines. They are limiting the number of tourists and not operating public transportation, among other measures. There are even cases where locals leave their areas due to the influx of tourists.
Overtourism is not only a problem in Europe but also a situation that famous attractions worldwide have experienced at least once. Ordinary locations suddenly become tourist attractions when they become the backdrop for popular movies or TV shows. The U.S. TV series Breaking Bad is considered one of the greatest dramas of all time, having won 16 Emmy Awards.
Breaking Bad depicts Walter White producing methamphetamine in a house in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
As the popularity of Breaking Bad skyrocketed, this house became a tourist attraction for fans. Numerous tourists worldwide visited this house, reminiscing about Breaking Bad. However, the problem is that this place is not a tourist spot but a privately owned house.
When many tourists suddenly started to flock, the homeowner’s daughter pleaded through the news for them not to come. She expressed her concern, saying, “An unimaginable number of people come to the house daily.” She was worried that other problems might arise due to the invasion of privacy and the rude behavior of some tourists.
Various problems arose when an ordinary house suddenly became a tourist spot. Eventually, the homeowner built a 6.5-foot iron fence around the house.
② Residents Suffer as Tourists Overwhelm
If you’ve seen the movie Joker, you’ll remember the scene where Joker dances on a staircase. This staircase is located in the Bronx borough of New York City. As it became known as the filming location for Joker, an ordinary staircase suddenly became a landmark.
Fans of the movie started to climb the stairs, pose like the Joker, and take pictures. This staircase also became famous on social media as a photo spot. The residents bore the damage caused by the influx of tourists. When countless tourists flocked, the residents complained about invading their privacy.
The movie Frozen is an animation produced with Hallstatt in Austria as the backdrop. As Frozen started to gain popularity, tourists began to flock to Hallstatt. Hallstatt is where the entire village is designated as a World Heritage site. It’s a quiet village with less than 800 residents.
However, the residents suffered significant damage, with over 10,000 tourists visiting daily. The residents complained of severe damage from tourists taking pictures everywhere and littering the streets. The residents became angry when the natural environment was at risk of being damaged. In addition, the number of large tourist buses in Hallstatt started to increase, and the risk of road traffic accidents also increased. When tourists visited the mart to buy souvenirs, the residents had difficulty even buying groceries.
After years of complaining about the damage caused by the overflowing tourists, the residents finally protested against tourism. Recently, the citizens of Hallstatt staged a protest demanding a limit on the number of daily tourists and a ban on tourist bus operations after 5 PM. In May, to protest, the citizens of Hallstatt even built a large wooden wall near a popular photo spot. The authorities intervened and had to dismantle it.
③ An Ordinary House Becomes a Tourist Attraction Overnight
The mansion featured in season 1 of the U.S. drama American Horror Story also became a tourist attraction overnight. This place was not a filming set but a house where ordinary people lived. Tourists took pictures in front of the house and made a lot of noise, causing damage to the homeowner.
The homeowner said, “When I moved into this house and saw people coming to take pictures and lingering around, it was scarier than watching a horror movie.” He added, “Some people climbed over the fence to look inside the house.” The homeowner, who moved in without knowing that this place was a house featured in the drama, sued the previous owner and the real estate agent.
By. Kim Min Jae
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