"Undressing for Photos at Temples"... Asia Struggles with Overtourism

Number of Tourists in Northeast Asia Surges by 20% Compared to Last Year

The phenomenon of overtourism, which has occurred in some European regions such as Italy and Spain, has now spread to Asia. Overtourism refers to a situation where the quality of life for local residents deteriorates and tourist attractions are damaged due to an excessive influx of tourists.

According to a CNN report on November 1, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) announced that, as of the first half of this year, the number of tourists visiting Northeast Asia-including Japan and South Korea-surged by 20% compared to the previous year. The same trend is observed in Southeast Asia. In the first half of this year, the number of foreign tourists visiting Vietnam increased by 21%.

The negative effects of overtourism in Asia are most clearly observed in Kyoto, Japan, which attracted 56 million tourists last year. Due to overwhelming crowds at every tourist spot, it is impossible to enjoy a relaxed sightseeing experience, and the influx of people into narrow alleys has made commuting and attending school difficult for local residents.

According to a recent survey by the Yomiuri Shimbun, 90% of Kyoto citizens expressed dissatisfaction with overtourism. In particular, complaints were focused on the disrespectful behavior of foreign tourists at religious sites such as shrines and temples. In response, last year the Kyoto city government banned unauthorized photography in the popular Gion district. Kyoto is also considering raising the maximum accommodation tax imposed on hotel and inn guests from the current 1,000 yen (about 9,300 won) to 10,000 yen (about 93,000 won).

The situation is similar in Bali, Indonesia. Controversy has arisen among locals over the disrespectful behavior of foreign tourists, such as taking photos while undressed at temples or riding motorcycles without helmets.

In Thailand, although the number of foreign tourists has decreased by about 6%, popular destinations such as Phuket remain crowded. As a result, Phuket authorities recently announced measures to address major issues such as traffic congestion and water shortages.