Overtourism seems to be a narrative pushed continually in contemporary media and whenever this happens we have to ask why. What is the aim here? Is it a problem

Overtourism seems to be a narrative pushed continually in contemporary media and whenever this happens we have to ask why. What is the aim here? Is it a problem? Yes it is, in some places. But it is also regional. Italy is mentioned there — the old town of Venice clearly has an issue with it, yet some parts of Italy have a fraction of the footfall. I bet there are certain towns and villages in Italy that barely see a tourist, and not necessarily because they are ugly or industrial. There is a lot of media coverage of antitourist protests in places like Barcelona. Again, I ask why. What are we supposed to do here? Deal with Air B n B, which has decimated housing stocks in many cities? Restrict international travel? Probably the latter. Tourist taxes are another potential income stream for government, although in the long run you are killing the goose which lays the golden egg.