Overtourism and tourismofobia in European cities-destinations (The case of Barcelona)

The article suggests a wide area for scientific discussions in domestic specialized literature on overtourism problems. It contains the outline for a new complex issue and interdisciplinary research subject. The study deals with the overtourism destinations development problems. It discusses different types of tourism policy taken at different stages of the destination life cycle and a new management model for the overtourism destination. The experience of Barcelona as the most striking example of urban tourist destination, where the overtourism problems have acquired the most acute forms and at the same time multiple measures for resolving the situation have been suggested, is analyzed in detail. Comprehensive analysis of the Strategic Plan for tourism development in Barcelona at the tourist destination growth stage aimed at the city tourism product integral promotion is presented. It reveals the difference between the Strategic Plan and the new paradigm of tourism development in Barcelona organically combining the destination promotion and practical management as key elements of the city tourism policy. The article is based on the results of the authors’field studies in Barcelona. Primary information was obtained through observations and talks with specialists in various fields as well as with local residents. It gave the possibility to assess the city problems scale. The results of field studies were supplemented by statistical data analysis based on the information provided by the Tourist Administration of Barcelona and also scientific works and regulatory documents review. The analysis of current achievements, problems and prospects of tourism territorial planning in Barcelona serves to enrich the global, Russia including, experience in tourism development.