Can Overtourism at Heritage Attractions Really Be Sustainably Managed? Lights and Shadows of the Experience at the Site of the Alhambra and Generalife (Spain)

A consensus exists on the necessity to restrict tourist activity at heritage attractions like the Alhambra and Generalife, one of Spain's most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites, to mitigate overtourism. However, implementing such measures poses significant management challenges and risks being exploited by stakeholders for personal gain. This study examines strategies adopted over the past 30 years, focusing on tourist carrying capacity management through content analysis. It reveals that while capacity management is crucial for sustainability, its effectiveness is hindered by implementation complexities and potential misuse. These findings offer insights into the limitations of current approaches to overtourism and suggest broader implications for other heritage sites facing similar pressures.

García-Hernández, M., de la Calle-Vaquero, M., & Chamorro-Martínez, V. (2023). Can Overtourism at Heritage Attractions Really Be Sustainably Managed? Lights and Shadows of the Experience at the Site of the Alhambra and Generalife (Spain). Heritage, 6(10), 6494–6509. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6100339