‘Overtourism’ has become a hot topic in the news in recent months, with reports from around the world speaking of ‘tourism-phobia’.

‘Overtourism’ describes destinations where hosts or guests, locals or visitors, feel that there are too many visitors and that the quality of life in the area or the quality of the experience has deteriorated.

Although ‘overtourism’ is yet to hit South Africa, the country has been advised to monitor the news, tour operators around SA have warned, according to Bizcommunity.

Other African destinations, however, such as the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania have seen crowds flocking annually to witness the great migration.

Tourism Update recently reported that tourist numbers in Kenya were likely to hit 1.5 million by year end, which is good news for the country’s’ economy, but will have negative repercussions on the country’s locals and wildlife. 

Jacinta Nzioka, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) said: “There is a lot of visitation to Mara during the migration period.” He added that measures had been put in place to prevent disturbing the ecosystem.

These measures include restrictions on all vehicles, which must stay in their lane with no off-road driving allowed, silence is encouraged during the migration and limited numbers of cars are allowed near the animals at one time.

“Frequent patrols are conducted within Mara to ensure adherence or compliance to conservation regulations,” said Nzioka.

With the growth in tourism numbers in South Africa, the majority of whom visit the Western Cape, overtourism could pose a possible future threat, especially during peak season. However Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, said: “Overtourism is not a term we would use to describe the situation currently.”

He said the tourism sector relied on high volumes of people, which converted into business sustainability. “Tourism and related operators can use this period of profitability to cover months where there are fewer visitors.”

To cope with the growing visitor numbers, Duminy mentioned that there were new hotel developments to provide adequate accommodation facilities, and Cape Town International Airport had also increased capacity to attract and cope with more arrivals.

“The city is growing… we must actively address messaging around responsible, sustainable tourism so that we are growing apace with visitor numbers and that what’s on offer is always experienced at its best for generations to come. From conserving water supplies and other resources to preventing litter.”

More than 1.2 billion international tourists crossed the globe in 2016, with an expected growth to 1.8 billion by 2030.

 “Managing the growing number of visitors to many popular areas is crucial for both hosts and visitors, both international and domestic. Growth is not the enemy. Growing numbers are not the enemy.  Growth is the eternal story of mankind. Tourism growth can lead to economic prosperity, jobs and resources to fund environmental protection and cultural preservation, as well as community development,” said The United Nations World Tourism Organisation Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

At the upcoming UNWTO and WTM Ministers’ Summit, a debate on the co-called ‘overtourism’ will take place at WTM London on November 7.

The Summit will look at how tourism growth and sustainability can, and should, go hand in hand, as well as the impact overtourism has on tourists, destinations, and local residents.