Overtourism, the ranking of the most crowded cities from Dubrovnik to Venice and Marrakech

Tourism has returned to pre-Covid levels but has brought with it the criticalities that accompanied its growth before the abrupt halt caused by the pandemic. In particular a concentration of travellers on certain locations that end up falling victim to the phenomenon dubbed 'overtourism'. In fact, 80% of travellers visit only 10% of the world's tourist destinations.

The annual report McKinsey & Company ("The state of tourism and hospitality 2024"), among many analyses, also lifts the veil on the most crowded urban destinations in a ranking based on the number of nights spent in 2023 by domestic and foreign visitors per square kilometre. In first place is Dubrovnik (Croatia), followed by Venice and Macao. Another city from Italy, Rome (in 13th place), just below Paris (12th), appears in the top fifteen.

The number of travellers and the frequency of their journeys are set to increase (in the first quarter of the year, nights spent in EU accommodation establishments rose by 6.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2023) and the same report offers a projection to 2030: a scenario in which the city on the Lagoon (which is experimenting with a access-ticket for day tourists) will see a less significant increase in tourist crowding (+26%) than other destinations such as Marrakech (+86%), Amsterdam (+72%) and Dubrovnik itself (+70%). In six years' time Venice will therefore be the third most tourist-intensive city in the world, surpassed by Macao (where an increase of 45% is expected).

Dubrovnik is the archetypal 'highly seasonal destination': in the high season (July and August) there are about 20 times as many vacancies available for sale as in January and February. The density of holiday rentals can reach around 90 listings per square kilometre in summer. The city is also a popular stop for Mediterranean cruises.

The report also offers a diagnosis that cities 'under tourism attack' can use to 'identify early warning signs of concentration'. There are six categories (from the dependence of the local economy on tourism to the threat to culture and heritage) measured by risk quintiles. Venice and Rome, the two Italian destinations included among the 165 monitored, fall into the highest quintile for the density of travellers and the impact it can have on the lives of residents.