overtourism
Definition
The phenomenon of a popular tourist destination being overwhelmed by excessive numbers of visitors, resulting in negative impacts on the local quality of life, infrastructure, and environment.
A state of travel saturation where the presence of cameras and selfie sticks outnumbers the actual local residents breathing the air.
Examples
Venice has become so afflicted by overtourism that the locals are considering charging an entrance fee just to hear them sigh in frustration.
I traveled halfway across the world to find peace at a hidden temple, only to discover that overtourism had ensured every square inch was already occupied by a TikTok influencer filming a dance routine.
Modern travel often feels less like an exploration of culture and more like a competitive sport of dodging crowds in the name of overtourism.