Spain's Strategy In Overcoming Overtourism Needs To Be Imitated

JAKARTA - The country of Spain is now focusing on regulating the congestion of visitors who come to certain destinations, especially in the Canary Islands and Balearik. The country is very popular as the number one destination for British tourists in 2024 and the second most visited country in Europe.

We are working with a sustainable tourism model with smart technology. We have developed a digital platform that monitors how many people are on the beach, as well as air quality, sea temperature, weather and even winners in the water. " said Jessica Harvey, head of the press at the Spanish Tourism Office.

Information can be accessed by tourism offices and hotel business people through the Smart Destinations app, helping them - and therefore visitors - make smarter decisions about where to go and what to do.

This is one of several initiatives taken in Spain, in which Harvey said only five regions in the country Canary Islands, Balearik Islands, Valencia, Catalonia and Andalusia received 85% of visitors.

Tour operators and travel agents are introduced to new areas to avoid congestion in popular places; and tourist taxes that reduce longer stay have played in some areas, including the Balearik Islands, benefiting those who live longer.

The government is also investing heavily in cultural heritage through the Paradoes of Spain initiative, a network of state-owned luxury hotels using historic buildings such as castles and manor homes to attract tourists off the coast.

"We want to welcome everyone," said Harvey. We just want to move the tourism model to make it more long-term sustainable.