Sustainable Tourism Management in the Era of Overtourism: A Systematic Review of Strategies and Best Practices

The rapid expansion of global tourism has led to significant challenges, particularly overtourism and seasonality, which threaten environmental sustainability, local communities, and visitor experiences. Managing these challenges requires innovative strategies, including visitor flow management, eco-tourism initiatives, technological interventions, and regulatory frameworks. Smart technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and digital monitoring systems, are emerging as crucial tools in mitigating the adverse effects of overtourism by optimizing visitor distribution and promoting sustainable tourism practices.

This systematic review aimed to explore sustainable tourism management strategies, with a particular focus on mitigating overtourism and seasonality through innovative approaches.

A comprehensive narrative review was conducted by analyzing peer-reviewed literature, policy reports, and case studies retrieved from academic databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and Emerald Insight. The review examined various sustainable tourism management strategies and their effectiveness in different tourism contexts.

The findings indicate that destinations implementing visitor flow control measures, smart tourism technologies, and regulatory mechanisms have experienced improved tourism sustainability. AI-driven crowd monitoring, digital visitor management platforms, and community-based tourism models contribute significantly to reducing environmental and social pressures on overburdened destinations. However, gaps remain in assessing the long-term impact of these strategies.

This study highlights the critical need for evidence-based, adaptive strategies in sustainable tourism management. By integrating AI-driven automation, eco-tourism frameworks, and regulatory controls, destinations can mitigate overtourism and promote responsible tourism development. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to assess the lasting impact of these strategies and refine best practices for global tourism sustainability.