According to a new Which? Travel report, the Greek island of Zakynthos, also known as Zante, has been named the most crowded tourist resort in Europe. With overnight stays outnumbering residents by 150 to one, the island tops the list of destinations suffering from overtourism. Other popular spots including Mallorca and Paris also feature prominently in the report, which highlights the growing pressure on local communities.
Mallorca recorded the highest total number of overnight stays in Europe, while Paris ranked first for tourist density with 418,000 stays per square kilometre. The report notes that overtourism is causing rising house prices, antisocial behaviour, and strain on local services in many destinations. However, some experts argue that undesirable tourist behaviour is as much a problem as sheer numbers.
Professor Richard Butler of the University of Strathclyde points out that complaints about tourist crowds date back over a century, particularly in cities like Venice. He suggests that destinations which have grown organically with tourism, such as Blackpool or Las Vegas, rarely face overtourism complaints, whereas historic cities like Dubrovnik and Prague are struggling. Butler also notes that Barcelona's focus on tourism-led redevelopment has contributed to its overtourism issues.
In contrast, the report identifies the least crowded European destinations, including Rybnik in Poland and parts of Romania, which offer tranquillity and traditional architecture. The Norwegian island of Jan Mayen recorded zero visitors, though it requires special permission to visit. Meanwhile, Great Yarmouth in England, once a bustling seaside resort, now welcomes far fewer tourists, with locals expressing a desire for more visitors.
