How Europe’s biggest cities are tackling over-tourism

Delicate ­balances need to be struck between the much-needed revenues and jobs generated by tourism, and the ­quality of life of residents; between managing tourism and ­discouraging it

After plummeting during Covid, tourism numbers are soaring again and set to exceed pre-pandemic ­levels this summer. The number of low-cost airline seats in Europe, which rose 10% annually from 2010 and hit 500m in 2019, could pass 800m in 2024.

Key takeaways

• One strategy is to charge for the big attractions or an entrance fee for the entire city like in Venice;
• Other cities are relying on better management – Athens, for example, last summer introduced a time-slot system for visits to the Acropolis;
• Some places are launching ­information campaigns aiming to reshape tourist flows. France will this spring roll out a €1m campaign urging domestic and foreign tourists to head more off the beaten track.

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