The Right to the City and the Reframing of Sustainability in Overtouristed Destinations

This chapter presents a historical account of the rise of Venice as a major tourist destination, now perceived in the literature as one of the “worst case scenarios” of overtourism. A discussion on the current situation in Venice will refer to the recent measures developed by the local authorities to mitigate the harmful effects of overtourism. The chapter proposes a redefinition of sustainability criteria for overcrowded destinations, calling for a reframing of the discourse and policies relating to overtourism. It will be argued that a sustainable and resilient urban model in overtouristed destinations could be achieved by planning a more just city within a framework of tourism degrowth, considering the right of the residents to live in the city and the resilience of the urban space as a whole, rather than the success of the tourist industry itself.