Local communities and social impacts

This chapter presents a discussion of intricate associations among overtourism, community wellbeing, and the housing market. Special attention is paid to the short-term rental (STR) market that is influenced by the platform economy and its disruptive role. Traditionally, tourism has been a tool that links economic contribution and cultural exchange; however, its growth generates negative spatial and sociocultural consequences for local populations. It seems to be the case that digital platforms have remodelled the housing market by enabling the transformation of domestic properties. We examine how overtourism influences everyday life and cultural heritage, which has a contributory effect towards tourismphobia, social tension, loss of authenticity, and environmental deprivation. The growing strain on infrastructure, especially transport, water management, and waste, is also discussed. The authors present governance responses to these issues, including laissez-faire methods at one end of the spectrum and framework-based regulations (including regulations by the European Union) at the other, and include the lessons from bottom-up solutions. To visualise the issues and how overtourism changes the format of cultural and urban landscapes, we use case studies such as Kyoto. The chapter concludes by highlighting the need to protect cultural heritage and housing rights, whilst simultaneously promoting sustainable tourism.