Istanbul, one of the most visited tourist cities in the world, is facing a critical situation as conflicts with local residents intensify, making it urgent to develop measures to address overtourism.

Istanbul has surpassed Ankara, Turkey's capital, to become the most visited city in the world by foreign tourists. In 2023, approximately 190 million foreign tourists visited Istanbul, a number that vastly exceeds the city's population.

This has led to problems such as overcrowding, traffic congestion, illegal waste disposal, and noise pollution, triggering strong backlash from local residents. Some residents argue that overtourism has significantly reduced their quality of life and are demanding that the government take strong action.

Experts warn that if left unchecked, historical sites could be damaged. The preservation of Istanbul's cultural heritage, including ancient palaces and mosques designated as World Heritage Sites, is at risk.

The Turkish government has embarked on a multi-pronged approach to address this situation. Recognizing the significant economic impact, with Istanbul generating 60 billion lira (approximately 3.6 trillion won) in tourism revenue annually, the government has taken proactive measures.

First, large tourist buses operating around city attractions will be completely banned, and parking facilities will be expanded along with increased shuttle bus services. This aims to alleviate traffic congestion in the city and reduce air pollution.

Additionally, some major tourist destinations will implement daily visitor limits, and early morning sightseeing will be restricted. Online pre-booking systems will be used to regulate the number of visitors per day, and upper limits will be set based on the capacity of each site.

The government is also exploring ways to distribute tourist demand more evenly. By promoting off-season tourism, they aim to mitigate the concentration of tourists during peak periods. In collaboration with local travel agencies, they are considering developing package tours that encourage tourists to visit Istanbul during the off-season.

Furthermore, similar to Seoul's "Walkable Street" project, plans are underway to diversify tourist routes and reduce tourist density. In collaboration with the Istanbul municipality, they will develop new walking trails to disperse tourist routes away from popular attractions.

The government has also introduced measures for co-existence with local residents. To revitalize the local economy, they will promote shops and restaurants owned by residents and provide entrepreneurial support training for struggling merchants to ensure benefits flow to the local economy.

Environmental measures have also been introduced. To reduce coastal pollution caused by tourist boats, the government is promoting the introduction of next-generation, eco-friendly battery electric tourist boats. They plan to gradually replace existing vessels with zero-emission boats to progressively reduce air pollution.

Additionally, an environmental cleanup campaign is planned for ancient sites and surrounding areas for local youth. This will involve youth-led activities like picking up litter and cleaning up at tourist attractions to further enhance the cleanliness of the tourist destinations.

The Turkish government intends to implement these measures for Istanbul and major tourist destinations nationwide in a phased approach over the next five years. They plan to continue developing policies for sustainable tourism in the future.