CAUSES OF OVERCOMING OVERTOURISM FAILURE IN CZECHIA

Abstract

Overtourism is a phenomenon affecting destinations that are so popular that the sheer number of visitors to a destination causes problems. Several strategies have been used to mitigate the impact of overtourism, addressing both its manifestations and the root of the problem: too many tourists. However, when evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies, we find that while strategies that aim to mitigate the effects of overtourism tend to be successful, strategies that try to reverse the trend of increasing numbers of tourists tend to be unsuccessful. Therefore, the paper examines why this is the case and compares the experience abroad with the situation in Czechia. The results show that one of the main reasons for the failure of the strategies is the different perceptions of the two main types of actors in the fight against overtourism: nature conservation authorities on the one hand and municipalities and destination agencies on the other. In some cases, the conflicting interests of these actors lead to inaction on overtourism, as one side usually blocks the other’s solutions. It is only when the situation is genuinely untenable that they find agreement. However, the most effective approach is to take action on the stage to prevent the emergence of overtourism.