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City destinations, overtourism and governance

Harold Goodwin (Institute of Place Management MMU, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK)

International Journal of Tourism Cities

ISSN: 2056-5607

Article publication date: 19 May 2021

Issue publication date: 3 December 2021

1162

Abstract

Purpose

There has been limited research on the governance of cities coping with large numbers of tourists. Empirical studies of the ways in which elected authorities in cities balance the conflicting interests of the tourism stakeholders, other businesses, communities and residents. It is clear that this requires a whole of government approach, and cities generally have a wide range of expertise and powers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses conceptual viewpoint approach.

Findings

As the cases of Barcelona and Venice demonstrate, they are unable to manage the flows of day visitors arriving from the surrounding region, and the airports, ports, roads and railways are managed by regional and national governments. The different functions, powers and performance of government bodies need to be researched if we are to secure a better understanding of the complex and multi-layered activity of tourism can best be governed.

Originality/value

This is an original viewpoint.

Keywords

Citation

Goodwin, H. (2021), "City destinations, overtourism and governance", International Journal of Tourism Cities, Vol. 7 No. 4, pp. 916-921. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-02-2021-0024

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, International Tourism Studies Association.

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