• Tourist overcrowding influences travel planning and last-minute decisions.

Mass tourism has become a key factor in the decision-making of Spanish travelers. 63% deliberately avoid destinations with high traffic, according to the ‘Travel Trends’ report by the consulting firm Simon-Kucher. In addition, 29% have modified or canceled their plans due to saturation.

The phenomenon is not exclusive to Spain. The French lead the rejection of tourist overcrowding, with 69% of travelers avoiding these places. They are followed by Americans (64%) and British (63%), confirming a global trend towards the search for calmer and more personalized experiences.

The report reveals that tourist overcrowding not only impacts the perception of destinations, but also influences last-minute decision-making. The lack of comfort, the increase in the cost of services and the difficulty in enjoying tourist attractions are some of the reasons that lead travelers to opt for less crowded places.

Among the proposed solutions, 40% of those surveyed advocate encouraging travel in the low season, allowing a more balanced distribution of the tourist flow throughout the year. Another 30% prefer to improve infrastructure or establish limits on the number of visitors, with the aim of making the experience more comfortable without reducing the volume of tourists. However, measures related to increased costs generate more rejection. Only 14% of travelers would support an increase in rates, while 18% would welcome the introduction of an additional tourist tax to regulate demand.

Carlos Fernández, responsible for the study, warns that tourist overcrowding will be one of the main debates ahead of the high season. In this sense, more and more destinations are adopting strategies to mitigate the impact of mass tourism, such as regulating access to certain tourist spots or implementing specific taxes.

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