[News Terms] Overtourism in Bukchon, Solution is 'Sustainable Tourism'

Noted as a Fundamental Solution to Overtourism
Measures Based on Three Elements: Understanding, Dispersion, and Suppression
Conflicting Opinions Among Bukchon Hanok Village Residents and Merchants

The Bukchon Hanok Village, which had been suffering from overtourism, has reportedly found peace after a long time, with news appearing daily in the media and social networking services (SNS). Overtourism refers to the phenomenon where the number of tourists visiting a destination exceeds its capacity, causing noise, waste problems, and discomfort and distress among local residents. Last year, Bukchon was visited by approximately 6.6 million visitors, which is 110 times the population of about 6,000 residents in the Bukchon Hanok Village.

Protests by Spanish citizens against overtourism
Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The concept of 'Sustainable Tourism' is gaining attention as a fundamental solution to overtourism. Sustainable tourism refers to tourism that meets the needs of tourists and local communities while fully considering the current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts. It requires prioritizing residents' lives and employment while encouraging tourists to experience the original character of the area.

Prioritizing the lives of local residents is called 'Residence First.' The three key elements of sustainable tourism to uphold Residence First and accommodate tourists are understanding, dispersion, and restraint. It is important to create a structure that satisfies all three parties: the local community, tourists, and the tourism industry through these elements.

Japan is a representative country that has pursued sustainable tourism through Residence First. Japan also suffered from overtourism after the COVID-19 pandemic ended, due to an increase in foreign tourists visiting Japan caused by the weak yen. In the first quarter of 2024, the number of foreign arrivals in Japan was 8.55 million, a 6.3% increase compared to the same period in 2019. The expected number of foreign arrivals this year is projected to be 32 million, a 28% increase from last year.

[Photo by Japan Shirakawamura Responsible Tourism Homepage]

Residents in Japan’s major tourist areas suffered from overtourism. For example, a convenience store in Yamanashi Prefecture, known as a hotspot for Mount Fuji photo shoots, frequently experienced illegal dumping of trash by tourists. The Kyoto Station?Kiyomizudera route was so crowded with tourists that local residents found it difficult to use public transportation.

Shirakawa-mura, a village in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, implemented overtourism countermeasures based on the element of 'understanding.' They produced the 'Shirakawago Tourism & Manners Book 2023,' which guides tourists on five manners to practice. They also launched a regional tourism website themed on 'Responsible Tourism,' encouraging tourists to travel with a sense of responsibility, providing services in five languages including English and Chinese.

Kyoto City implemented tourist 'dispersion' measures based on three criteria: timing, time, and place. This was to prevent inconvenience to local residents who could not use public transportation due to tourist concentration in specific areas. For example, to promote Kyoto in the off-seasons of summer and winter, they held campaigns under the themes of 'Summer Travel' and 'Winter Travel,' including special openings of non-public cultural properties. They focused on dispersing tourists by providing event information at different times and locations.

Okinawa Prefecture’s island, Iriomotejima, limited the number of daily visitors to 1,200. This was a measure to protect endangered wildlife, including the Iriomote cat, from overtourism damage. The driving speed within the island was regulated to below 40 km/h.

Bukchon Special Management Area Red Zone
Photo by Yonhap News

The overtourism countermeasure currently being piloted in Bukchon Hanok Village can be described as 'restraint.' The Bukchon Hanok Village area was designated as a special management zone for the first time nationwide last July. The Red Zone area within this region (Bukchon-ro 11-gil) has restricted passage times. Non-resident tourists are only allowed to pass from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers wearing yellow vests hold signs that say 'Please be quiet' and monitor the alleys.

Opinions among residents and merchants about this policy are divided. Local residents have expressed support, welcoming the creation of a more pleasant living environment. On the other hand, some local merchants have taken a hardline stance, claiming losses due to sales restrictions and even threatening administrative lawsuits.