Massaturismi

Massaturismi, or mass tourism, is a form of tourism characterized by large numbers of visitors to a single destination within a short period. It often involves organized packages, standardized products, and high-capacity infrastructure such as hotels, resorts, and cruise itineraries. The phenomenon tends to concentrate on a few well-known places and seasons, creating intense demand that can exceed local capacity.

Key characteristics include rapid visitor growth, seasonal peaks, geographic concentration, dependence on external transport and global supply chains, and a prevalence of all-inclusive options, day trips, and mass transit. While it can deliver economic benefits through job creation, tax revenue, and improved infrastructure, it can also expose communities to volatility from external shocks, price inflation for residents, and changes in housing markets.

Environmental and social impacts are widely debated. Positive effects may include growth of local services and funding for preservation. Negative effects can include crowding, degradation of natural and cultural resources, litter, strain on water and energy supplies, traffic congestion, and erosion of local culture and character.

Management approaches aim to balance demand with capacity. Strategies include sustainable tourism planning, diversification of markets and products, bringing visitor levels within carrying capacity, community engagement, and fees or taxes for conservation and infrastructure. Critics argue that external pressures and business models often prioritize short-term gains over long-term resilience.

See also: sustainable tourism, overtourism, ecotourism, responsible tourism.