Istanbul, a Global Tourist Destination, Implements Sustainable Tourism Strategies Amidst a Surge in Visitors

Istanbul, one of the most visited tourist cities in the world, is facing a pressing need for overtourism countermeasures as conflicts with local residents escalate.

Istanbul has surpassed Ankara, the capital of Turkey, to become the city that attracts the most foreign tourists globally. In 2023, it is reported that approximately 190 million foreign tourists visited Istanbul. This figure is overwhelmingly higher than the city's population.

This influx of tourists has led to issues such as overcrowding, traffic congestion, illegal dumping, and noise pollution, sparking strong opposition from local residents. Some residents have voiced their concerns, stating that overtourism has significantly diminished their quality of life, and are calling on the government to implement robust countermeasures.

Experts are expressing concerns about the potential destruction of historical sites if the situation is left unchecked. The preservation of cultural heritage sites in Istanbul, including the ancient palaces and mosques designated as World Heritage sites, is now in jeopardy.

The Turkish government has initiated a multi-faceted approach to address this issue. Recognizing the potential economic impact, as Istanbul generates 60 billion Turkish Liras (approximately 3.6 trillion won) annually in tourism revenue, the government has taken proactive steps.

Firstly, the government has decided to completely ban the operation of large tourist buses around city attractions. Simultaneously, they will expand shuttle bus services along with the establishment of parking areas. This is intended to alleviate traffic congestion within the city and reduce air pollution.

Furthermore, the government plans to impose daily visitor limits at certain major tourist sites and restrict tourist access during the early morning hours. An online reservation system will be implemented to regulate the number of daily visitors, and an upper limit will be set considering the capacity of each historical site.

In addition, the government is exploring strategies to distribute tourist demand more evenly. They aim to prevent tourist concentration by promoting off-season tourism. The government is considering developing package tours in collaboration with local travel agencies, encouraging tourists to visit Istanbul during the off-season as well as the peak season.

Moreover, the government plans to diversify tourist routes, similar to Seoul's 'walking street' project, to reduce tourist congestion. In collaboration with the Istanbul municipality, they will develop new walking trails to disperse tourist traffic away from popular tourist spots.

The government has also introduced measures to foster a symbiotic relationship with local residents. They intend to promote locally-owned shops and restaurants to revitalize the local economy. Additionally, they will provide entrepreneurship training programs to help underprivileged merchants.

Environmental countermeasures have also been proposed. To reduce coastal pollution caused by cruise ships, the government is pursuing the introduction of next-generation, eco-friendly battery-powered cruise ships. They plan to progressively replace existing vessels with zero-emission ships to gradually reduce air pollution.

Furthermore, they plan to organize environmental cleanup campaigns involving youth in ancient historical sites and surrounding areas. Young people will lead the efforts in picking up trash and conducting cleanup activities at tourist attractions, contributing to a cleaner environment.

The Turkish government plans to implement these countermeasures for Istanbul and other major tourist destinations nationwide in a phased manner over the next five years. They intend to continue developing policies that promote sustainable tourism.